I'll get some links to my mentions of Mullet Pig after I get the kids off to school.

The Wife of Mullet Pig Walks!http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,2d540765-d36f-42cd-9bd7-0c294f1ebaff.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/The+Wife+Of+Mullet+Pig+Walks.aspx
Mon, 01 Jun 2009 11:25:57 GMT<p>
Do you guys remember my posts about Mullet Pig from last year's Susan G. Komen 3-day
walk?
</p>
<p>
Well, his wife is walking again this year, and she needs donations!
</p>
<p>
Here's the URL for her personal site.
</p>
<p>
<a href="http://www.new.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=118056168624&amp;h=EvXLi&amp;u=xVmnj&amp;ref=mf">http://www.new.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=118056168624&amp;h=EvXLi&amp;u=xVmnj&amp;ref=mf</a>
</p>
<p>
I'll get some links to my mentions of Mullet Pig after I get the kids off to school.
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=2d540765-d36f-42cd-9bd7-0c294f1ebaff" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,2d540765-d36f-42cd-9bd7-0c294f1ebaff.aspxGeneral Health;Kung Fu/Running/Fitnesshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=ff36f072-3b5f-4113-afe0-25183760be2bhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,ff36f072-3b5f-4113-afe0-25183760be2b.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,ff36f072-3b5f-4113-afe0-25183760be2b.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=ff36f072-3b5f-4113-afe0-25183760be2b

Good class tonight. My students tested last night, and all of them passed.
Nobody had to repeat any part of their test. I rewarded them tonight by picking
up the pace and making them work harder. They were wiped out when they
left. I'm a little tired myself.

I guess I might be a little evilhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,ff36f072-3b5f-4113-afe0-25183760be2b.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/I+Guess+I+Might+Be+A+Little+Evil.aspx
Fri, 10 Apr 2009 04:30:18 GMT<p>
<a href="http://apps.facebook.com/getflair/viewflair.php?id=7029757&amp;ts=proftab"><img height=110 src="http://platform.ak.facebook.com/www.new/app_full_proxy.php?app=3396043540&amp;v=1&amp;size=o&amp;cksum=a4f395fc3609c77bdda8e39b87711b85&amp;src=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.nliven.com%2Ffb%2Fgetflair%2Fpf_img%2Fad72f9e27c1a4489a920dcf49c098a4ee0b7aec3.jpg" width=110></a>
</p>
<p>
Good class tonight.&nbsp; My students tested last night, and all of them passed.&nbsp;
Nobody had to repeat any part of their test.&nbsp; I rewarded them tonight by picking
up the pace and making them work harder.&nbsp; They were&nbsp;wiped out when they
left.&nbsp; I'm a little tired myself.&nbsp;
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=ff36f072-3b5f-4113-afe0-25183760be2b" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,ff36f072-3b5f-4113-afe0-25183760be2b.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitnesshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=2cbae384-b35d-4640-8a14-2826a766529chttp://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,2cbae384-b35d-4640-8a14-2826a766529c.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,2cbae384-b35d-4640-8a14-2826a766529c.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=2cbae384-b35d-4640-8a14-2826a766529c4

Samantha: "Tense? Me? I'm not tense. Am I? When
did you first notice?"

Jack: "As. We. Met."

- Carter and
O'Neill, "Ascension" Stargate, SG-1

I have the Best. Students. Ever. Tonight I got a Christmas present from one
of my Kung fu families (the dad and two kids take the classes).

They gave me a gift card for a massage.

Like I said: Best. Students. Ever.

UPDATE: My, Christmas DID come early this year. Pcomeau
gave me a link to this Rodney video, which is Frickin' PERFECT:

Random thought: Putting Daniel, who is cutest when he is annoyed
and uncomfortable together in an episode with Rodney, who is cutest when he is being
annoying and discomforting was the most genius Atlantis-related idea ever.

Random Thought 2: Is is bad that I also think that my husband
is cutest when annoyed and uncomfortable?

I seem tense?http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,2cbae384-b35d-4640-8a14-2826a766529c.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/I+Seem+Tense.aspx
Fri, 05 Dec 2008 03:18:13 GMT<p>
<em>Samantha:&nbsp; "Tense?&nbsp; Me?&nbsp; I'm not tense.&nbsp; Am I?&nbsp; When
did you first notice?"</em>
</p>
<p>
<em>Jack:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"As. We. Met."</em>
</p>
<p>
<em><font color=#000000>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; - Carter and O'Neill,
"Ascension"</font> Stargate, SG-1</em>
</p>
<p>
<em></em>&nbsp;
</p>
<p>
I have the Best. Students. Ever.&nbsp; Tonight I got a Christmas present from one
of my Kung fu families (the dad and two kids take the classes).
</p>
<p>
They gave me a gift card for a massage.
</p>
<p>
Like I said:&nbsp; Best. Students. Ever.
</p>
<p>
<strong>UPDATE:</strong>&nbsp; My, Christmas DID come early this year.&nbsp; Pcomeau
gave me a link to this Rodney video, which is Frickin'&nbsp; PERFECT:
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;
</p>
<object height=390 width=460>
<param name="movie" value="http://media.imeem.com/pl/DJOXXDsnSh/aus=false/pv=2/">
<param name="allowFullScreen" value="true">
<embed src="http://media.imeem.com/pl/DJOXXDsnSh/aus=false/pv=2/" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="460" height="390" allowfullscreen="true"></embed>
</object>
<p>
&nbsp;
</p>
<p>
<strong>Random thought</strong>:&nbsp; Putting Daniel, who is cutest when he is annoyed
and uncomfortable together in an episode with Rodney, who is cutest when he is being
annoying and discomforting was the most genius Atlantis-related idea ever.
</p>
<p>
<strong>Random Thought 2:&nbsp; </strong>Is is bad that I also think that my husband
is cutest when annoyed and uncomfortable?
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=2cbae384-b35d-4640-8a14-2826a766529c" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,2cbae384-b35d-4640-8a14-2826a766529c.aspxFandom;Good Sci-Fi;Kung Fu/Running/Fitness;Personalhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=91a4b957-ae8c-4e2c-bae3-38167d98458chttp://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,91a4b957-ae8c-4e2c-bae3-38167d98458c.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,91a4b957-ae8c-4e2c-bae3-38167d98458c.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=91a4b957-ae8c-4e2c-bae3-38167d98458c2Cheering, Support, and Lovehttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,91a4b957-ae8c-4e2c-bae3-38167d98458c.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Cheering+Support+And+Love.aspx
Wed, 24 Sep 2008 12:43:11 GMT<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />A
little more about the walk…<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri></font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>At
the closing ceremony, the MC of the event told us that the world would look a little
different.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>We wouldn’t have people cheering
us and honking and waving at every intersection, for one thing.<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>And
she’s right…but it’s funny…I just have this feeling that they MIGHT, or that I just
might cheer THEM if I just knew their story.<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>I
saw so many feats of selflessness and kindness, heard so many stories of bravery and
love and perseverance, enjoyed so many demonstrations of humor and consideration,
that I have to believe that it is still right there, under the surface in almost everyone,
just waiting for a chance to express itself.<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>Every
person I meet that I don’t know, might have been someone who was standing along the
route cheering, a sponsor, a crewperson or a walker.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The
lady behind the desk at the car dealership who handed me my license plates, for instance,
or the guy who put them on my car for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>They
might have been standing out by the side-walk and handed me a bottle of water just
when I needed it, or a piece of candy when my energy was flagging, or they may have
been one of those Angels sent directly from God who had string cheese (salt AND protein
in one delicious package).<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>Maybe
it’s just residual endorphins, but I sort of expect to see acts of kindness, gratitude
and generosity around every corner right now.<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>You
wouldn’t believe the outpouring of community support.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Every
time we crossed over a freeway, cars honked and people waved.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Cars
honked at almost every intersection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>When
we were walking on sidewalks, cars passed and honked.<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>The
cheering stations were full, and there was one that was so unbelievably huge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>There
were probably over a hundred people there.<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>We
were walking along on a trail through the woods, and I was in an extremely focused
moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It was fairly quiet, and we were
somewhat behind because of Sue’s sprained ankle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>We
were going up a hill just as the path turned a sharp corner, and as soon as we came
in sight a loud roar started, and just kept going.<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>I
stopped and just gaped like an idiot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>An
involuntary “wow” escaped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The people
standing closest to me cheered even harder and smiled even more broadly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>People
yelling, waving signs, flags, pink flamingo lawn ornaments, funny hats, it’s all a
blur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>But I remember that it wasn’t until
about a hundred feet down the path that I began to be aware of the pain from my blisters
again.<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>Sometimes
a cheering person would hold up their hand for a “high-five” and say things like “Thank
you from my daughter, who can’t be here” or sometimes there were little signs and
memorials with pictures of people who had died of breast cancer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Their
families standing around clapping and cheering and saying “thank you”.<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><a href="http://www.rowekamp.com/couch.htm"><font face=Calibri color=#800080>There
is a traveling couch memorial that is just wonderful.</font></a>
<o:p></o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>Bald
women sitting in the shade with tears in their eyes, saying “thank you for walking
for me”<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>But
all of that is just prelude to the crew.<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>The
crew were sent from God.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>One the second
day, pit stop 4, it was necessary for us to walk about a block-and-a-half off of the
path, attend the Pit Stop, and then walk back to the path.<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>You
would not believe how bad that was for our psychology.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Sue
sat down and said “I want ice for my ankle, but I don’t want to walk all that way
and then walk back again.”<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>I
couldn’t blame her.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I didn’t want to
either, and I didn’t have a sprained ankle as an excuse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Suddenly,
a crewperson appeared, and said “I will go and get you ice, water and food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Just
don’t move.”<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>Sue
replied “No worries, I’m not going ANYWHERE.”<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>“Let
me help you with that”; “Let me get that for you”; “Do you need anything?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>“Are
you OK?”;”Can I get you something?” ; “Everything OK here?”<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>That
is what crew sounds like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>These people
worked their ASSES off, and I’m pretty sure that at least once, I forgot to say “thank
you”.<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>They
road bikes up and down the line day after day to make sure nobody was in trouble.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>They
called sweep vans for the sick and injured, they monitored stoplights and directed
traffic and entertained us while we waited at stoplights.<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>There
was a guy in a pink cowboy hat who just sat there looking like he was happy to see
each and every one of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>There was a
lady with a sort of Genine Gerafalo sort of dead-pan humor who cracked me up every
time, once augmenting her directions on how to safely negotiate a complicated intersection
crossing with the safety instructions for exiting an aircraft in an emergency.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>And
then there was Mullet Pig.<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>Mullet
Pig was a guy in a pink pig mask with a “diamond” tiara and magenta hair weaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>He
was a little chubby, and had a big hairy belly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
know, because he often performed cartwheels as part of his acrobatic cheering routine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Also,
jump-split kicks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>He had a sort of “Wyld
Stallions” vibe going on as well (a-la Bill and Ted).<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>He
referred to himself in the third person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>As
in “Mullet Pig loves all the three day walkers”, and “Mullet Pig doesn’t want you
to get crushed by a truck, so listen up!”<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>For
a significant portion of the walk, we entertained ourselves by brain-storming a buddy-movie
in the vein of the “Bill and Ted’ or “Jay and Silent Bob” movies:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>“Mullet
Pig saves the 3-day”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Of course, we also
amused ourselves at Susie’s&nbsp;report that she mispronunces “National Philanthropic
Trust” (just try it, you’ll get the idea…it’s a spoonerism).<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>I
think I love Mullet Pig.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I think that
everyone should have a Mullet Pig of their very own in their lives all of the time.<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>The
last day, 1.5 miles from the end, I was beginning to tear up from the pain in my ankle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
knew I could finish, but I also knew that we still had a long way to go and it was
going to hurt.<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>And
there was Mullet pig, shaking his pink pom-poms, and yelling something we couldn’t
quite hear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>When we got closer, I yelled:
“we love you Mullet Pig!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>He yelled back
“I love you too”.<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>When
we got to him, I gave him a hug (not pleasant for him by now, I assure you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
was a grimy, sweaty mess), looked into his eyes and said “Thank you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Every
time I see you, it makes me happy”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Just
for a moment, the Mullet Pig persona disappeared, and he said “That’s why I do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Thank
You.”</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>I
think it's pretty safe to say that he's not in it for the hugs from&nbsp;sweaty, road-grime-covered,
sun-burned chicks with no make-up and hair that has not seen a blow-dryer or curling
iron for three days.</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>There’s
nothing I can say to express how important the crew is, and the people who show up
to cheer at these events.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Amazing.<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 115%"><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri>So
if you volunteered to crew, or if you showed up to cheer, or even if you just tooted
your horn and waved as you drove past the event…Thank You.<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=91a4b957-ae8c-4e2c-bae3-38167d98458c" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,91a4b957-ae8c-4e2c-bae3-38167d98458c.aspxCheer Up!;General Health;Kung Fu/Running/Fitnesshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=ebef8b49-20da-4755-bf44-2af5a2bf0a00http://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,ebef8b49-20da-4755-bf44-2af5a2bf0a00.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,ebef8b49-20da-4755-bf44-2af5a2bf0a00.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=ebef8b49-20da-4755-bf44-2af5a2bf0a005Post Susan G. Komen brain-dumphttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,ebef8b49-20da-4755-bf44-2af5a2bf0a00.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Post+Susan+G+Komen+Braindump.aspx
Mon, 22 Sep 2008 12:57:58 GMT<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<span style="COLOR: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><font size=3><font face=Calibri><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />I
have a just walked sixty- plus&nbsp;miles in the Susan G. Komen 3-day Walk For the
Cure.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<span style="COLOR: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri">
<o:p>
<font face=Calibri size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<font size=3><font face=Calibri><span style="COLOR: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri">The
actual total was 61.5.&nbsp; Thank you to my sponsors.&nbsp; Everytime I thought it
would be easier to take the sweep van, I thought of you, and how I was representing
you and the money you invested in my participation.&nbsp; It kept me strong and helped
me finish.&nbsp; Thank You.</span></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<span style="COLOR: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><font size=3><font face=Calibri>Yes,
I walked every single mile, and the half-mile too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>This
does not include all of the walking we had to do at camp in order to get through the
thousands of tents to the one end of camp to get dinner…and to the other end of camp
to get a shower…and then again in the morning for breakfast, medical tent the get
blisters properly lanced and taped, etc.<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<span style="COLOR: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri">
<o:p>
<font face=Calibri size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<span style="COLOR: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><font size=3><font face=Calibri>The
rest of my team finished as well:<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<span style="COLOR: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri">
<o:p>
<font face=Calibri size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<span style="COLOR: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><font size=3><font face=Calibri>Suzie
Andert&nbsp; (three-time veteran of the 3-day; friend, advisor, coach, and the prettiest
darned supply pack-mule Ive ever seen)</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<span style="COLOR: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><font size=3><font face=Calibri>Leslie
Dwight (Who gets my "super-trooper of the year" award.&nbsp; This woman is a walking
machine)</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<span style="COLOR: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><font size=3><font face=Calibri>Susan
Grove (Who got swept once due to her sprained ankle, but the extra mileage made up
for it..and anyway, getting swept takes nothing away from the fact that she walked
around thirty miles with a sprained ankle…and was only taped for 17 of them)<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<span style="COLOR: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri">
<o:p>
<font face=Calibri size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<span style="COLOR: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><font size=3><font face=Calibri>And
me.</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<span style="COLOR: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><font size=3><font face=Calibri>&nbsp;About
half-way through, my ankle started hurting so I went to the medical tent and had it
adjusted by a chiropractor.&nbsp; Apparently, I’d walked 15 miles with it out of joint.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I’m
glad the chiropractor knew what to do…all I knew was that I had a large purple-and-magenta
bruise on the blade of my foot, and my ankle was swelling.&nbsp;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>And
adjustment and some support tape made all the difference.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Then
I just had the pain from the inflammation to deal with…but it was less than half what
I’d been dealing with the day before.<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<span style="COLOR: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri">
<o:p>
<font face=Calibri size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<span style="COLOR: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri"><font size=3><font face=Calibri><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</span>The
bottom of my right foot has three large blisters…one that actually covers the entire
ball of my foot, and two the size of quarters on either side of the heel.&nbsp; There
is no epidermis left between any of my toes.&nbsp; On my left foot, I have two small
blisters on either side of my heel.<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<span style="COLOR: #1f497d; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri">
<o:p>
<font face=Calibri size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<font size=3><font face=Calibri><span style="COLOR: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri">I’m
not stiff and sore, though…a testament to a well-designed training schedule and the
power of frequent, disciplined stretching.&nbsp; Also, I think the fact that I slept
on the hard ground rather than an air mattress helps.&nbsp; Don’t know why, but I
find that I am less stiff and sore after a big physical event if I sleep somewhere
firm.&nbsp; Air mattresses or soft mattresses kill my back and hips!</span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">
<o:p></o:p>
</span></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<font size=3><font face=Calibri><b><span style="COLOR: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri">#1
important re-cap point!</span></b><span style="COLOR: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri">&nbsp;
Rocky watched the kids all weekend, including our God-daughter (Sue's daughter).&nbsp;
He managed the house very well.&nbsp; It looked great when I got home.&nbsp; He got
all of the kids to all of their events (some of them 25 miles away), got the kids
to do chores, had dinner waiting for us when we got home....etc.&nbsp; He's so wonderful!</span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">
<o:p></o:p>
</span></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;<o:p></o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<font size=3><font face=Calibri><span style="COLOR: black; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri">He
also brought the kids to see us and cheer us.&nbsp; They waited for several hours
until we walked past.&nbsp; Sue almost cried.&nbsp; I was so happy.&nbsp; For the
moment, all of the pain went away...and actually the last 2.5 miles went much easier
because they were there for us.&nbsp; Then, they also went forward and were there
to see us finish as well!</span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">
<o:p></o:p>
</span></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal">
<span style="COLOR: #1f497d; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri">
<o:p>
<font face=Calibri size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">
<b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Factoid:&nbsp;
Did you know that your feet can swell up so much that your toe-nails turn black and
fall off?</span></b><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;
No, that didn't happen to me, or anyone on our team, but I heard at least a dozen
people say it happened to them...and more who said that it had happened to them one
of the other times they did the walk.&nbsp; One lady said she only had three toenails
left, and was pondering whether or not she could get a discount on her next pedicure.<o:p></o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">At
one point during the last half of the second day, Sue and I both had ankle injuries
(we later found out that she had a sprain from twisting it&nbsp;on a bit of uneven
ground.&nbsp; I had a bone out of joint)&nbsp;were Marching along in grim silence,
just putting one foot in front of the other, feeling the pain each time, and moving
through it one step at a time.<o:p></o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Sue:&nbsp;
"What's that up there?"<o:p></o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Me:&nbsp;
"Nothing.&nbsp; Just more people."<o:p></o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Sue:&nbsp;
"No...no.&nbsp; I think I see <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bataan_Death_March"><span style="COLOR: blue; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt">Bataan</span></a>."<o:p></o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Of
course, while she was historically accurate in that the Bataan death march was sixty
miles long...technically, Bataan would have been BEHIND us, and there would have been
soldiers yelling in Japanese and shooting the stragglers, rather than "sweep vans".&nbsp;
Oh yeah, and no "Pit Stops" with food, water and port-a-potties.<o:p></o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Still,
the analogy FELT accurate enough.<o:p></o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Another
snippet of conversation with Suzie (not to be confused with Sue)<o:p></o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Me:&nbsp;
"Ouch".<o:p></o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Suzie:&nbsp;
"Uh-oh, what's wrong."<o:p></o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Me:&nbsp;
"Nothing.&nbsp; Sorry.&nbsp; One just escaped.<o:p></o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Suzie:&nbsp;
"An&nbsp;ouch escaped?"<o:p></o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Me:&nbsp;
"Yeah.&nbsp; I try to keep them in a little corral so they don't get out and bother
you.&nbsp; I've got a little collie that runs around herding them into the corral."<o:p></o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Suzie:&nbsp;
"The inside of your brain makes me laugh."</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"></span>&nbsp;
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">There
was a little boy visiting his mother at the lunch stop, and he ran over to a crew
member with his mom's empty water bottle:</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Boy:&nbsp;
"Can I have some water for my mom?"</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Crew:
"Sure.&nbsp; Hey kid, do you know why I work crew?"</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Boy:&nbsp;
"No."</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">Crew:&nbsp;
"So when you grow up, you won't have to." (because breast cancer will have a cure)</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"></span>&nbsp;
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">I’ll
post about this again, and do a much better job of it, but I wanted to give you some
idea about what went on.<o:p></o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; LINE-HEIGHT: normal; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">
<span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: #003300; FONT-FAMILY: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">When
we have pictures, I will post again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
especially need to show you the picture of, and tell you about “mullet pig”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>He
was one of the volunteer crew members that helped us (and entertained and encouraged
us) at street-crossings.<o:p></o:p>
</span>
</p>
<p>
One last thought:&nbsp; THIS is the strength of our nation.&nbsp; These women are
housewives and office workers and beauty consultants and three-time cancer survivors...and
yes, some figherfighters and police officers, and personal trainers...but mostly ordinary
everyday women.
</p>
<p>
And they can walk sixty miles on sprained ankles and feet that have lost toenails,
and taped-up knees.
</p>
<p>
They can walk and sing funny filk songs about "I'm walking&nbsp;on blisters (to the
tune of "Im walking on&nbsp;Sunshine")" and they can stay up an extra hour and&nbsp;dance
like there's no tomorrow&nbsp;on day two.
</p>
<p>
And if they start to falter, all it takes to keep them going is a sign that reminds
them that "blisters don't need chemo"&nbsp; (that one worked for me), or a thought
about their sponsors, or a funny man dressed up in a pig mask and magenta hair weaves
(I'll tell you about him later).
</p>
<p>
If they think a cause is worth it.&nbsp; You might say that it isn't important to
finish, because we raised the money whether we finish or not...but that isn't true.
</p>
<p>
See...many people say that it is impossible to find a cure for breast cancer.&nbsp;
Many people also say that it is impossible for an average suburban housewife to walk
sixty miles.
</p>
<p>
Well, here's news to them.&nbsp; The "impossible" is NOT impossible.
</p>
<p>
So there.
</p>
<p>
Now, Im going to the gym.
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=ebef8b49-20da-4755-bf44-2af5a2bf0a00" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,ebef8b49-20da-4755-bf44-2af5a2bf0a00.aspxGeneral Health;Kung Fu/Running/Fitness;Personalhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=b721f420-ea6b-4672-8891-af0b5dbe0962http://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,b721f420-ea6b-4672-8891-af0b5dbe0962.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,b721f420-ea6b-4672-8891-af0b5dbe0962.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=b721f420-ea6b-4672-8891-af0b5dbe09621

Happy Hour Benefit for the
3 Day Walk for Breast Cancer

Monday, August 11th

5:30 pm – 7:30 pm
Billy’s on Grand (in the Café)

857 Grand Avenue
Victoria and Grand in St. Paul
(651) 292-9140

Live music by The Fabulous Retreads

Complimentary appetizers

(generously donated by Billy’s on Grand)

Happy hour drink specials

Suggested donation $10 per person
All in-person donations will include a raffle ticket for a prize drawing.

Please come support team Beautiful Feat in our goal to raise $8,800 for the fight
against breast
cancer. On September 19 – 21 we will be walking 60 miles through the Twin Cities with
thousands of other men and women in order to raise funds to support breast cancer
research
and education. To find out more about the 3 Day Walk for Breast Cancer, go to
www.the3day.org.

If you can not make it to happy hour, but would be willing to make a contribution,
please go online to: www.the3day.org • Click
on “Donate Now” • Click on
“Search for a team” and enter “Beautiful Feat” as the Team Name • Click on the
team name which will appear below • Team members are listed at the bottom of
the team homepage - click on a member (preferably the one currently furthest from
their fundraising goal) and follow the directions to make a donation. Or if you
prefer, e-mail susandert@gmail.com for the
mailing address to send a check. Thank
you for supporting the fight against breast cancer and us on this incredible journey!

All donations are tax deductible!

I case you have any doubts about Susan G. Komen, here is their Charity Navigator rating:

We were loping along, not really pushing it; sort of trotting, really. The sun
was finally shining again, and the air was just the right temperature; not too
warm, not too cold.

I was feeling pretty good. Not running to work out, just running to save time.
The dog's gotta cover a certain amount of ground in a day, or he gets neurotic.
If I run, this takes less time.

He was behaving very well, running roughly at "heel". A Fed Ex driver came out
from a house and smiled broadly at him as she got into her truck to make notes on
her little clipboard.

Half a block later, it happened. My toe caught on a raised bit of side-walk,
and I tripped.

My Kung-fu reflexes fired, and I thought that - just for a moment there, mind you
- I thought that I had avoided a fall.

Unfortunately, my high-strung puppy-dog had much less faith in my alacrity.
He startled, then he jumped. Then he dashed forward and side-ways all at the
same time with his tail between his legs, and he didn't stop until he had hit the
end of the leash with a *snap*.

I was done for; fell to the ground like a fifty pound bag of rice.

The Fed Ex lady was staring at me, yelling "You all right?"

Some twiggy little trophy wives out for a stroll were giggling. The dog looked
like he expected the world to cave in on him, and I tried to jump to my feet with
as much dignity as I could muster. My knee was scraped and bloody, but that
was it. I tried to be as cool as possible as I walked away...

...until the Fed Ex lady pulled up, beeped the horn, and yelled "Your cell phone and
your keys are laying on the sidewalk back there!"

Shiney happy $^%$#^% people...watching me fall on my face.http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,adb7c569-3ca4-4e08-915c-3815e5137fc5.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Shiney+Happy+Peoplewatching+Me+Fall+On+My+Face.aspx
Wed, 30 Apr 2008 02:37:32 GMT<p>
I was out running with the dog today.&nbsp; It was nice.
</p>
<p>
We were loping along, not really pushing it; sort of trotting, really.&nbsp; The sun
was finally shining again, and the air was just the right temperature;&nbsp; not too
warm, not too cold.
</p>
<p>
I was feeling pretty good.&nbsp; Not running to work out, just running to save time.&nbsp;
The dog's gotta cover a certain amount of ground in a day, or he gets neurotic.&nbsp;
If I run, this takes less time.
</p>
<p>
He was behaving very well, running roughly at "heel".&nbsp; A Fed Ex driver came out
from a house and smiled broadly at him as she got into her truck to make notes on
her little clipboard.&nbsp;
</p>
<p>
Half a block later, it happened.&nbsp; My toe caught on a raised bit of side-walk,
and I tripped.
</p>
<p>
My Kung-fu reflexes fired, and I thought that - just for a moment there, mind you
- I thought that I had avoided a fall.
</p>
<p>
Unfortunately, my high-strung puppy-dog had much less faith in my alacrity.&nbsp;
He startled, then he jumped.&nbsp; Then he dashed forward and side-ways all at the
same time with his tail between his legs, and he didn't stop until he had hit the
end of the leash with a *snap*.
</p>
<p>
I was done for;&nbsp;fell to the ground like a fifty pound bag of rice.
</p>
<p>
The Fed Ex lady was staring at me, yelling "You all right?"
</p>
<p>
Some twiggy little trophy wives out for a stroll were giggling.&nbsp; The dog looked
like he expected the world to cave in on him, and I tried to jump to my feet with
as much dignity as I could muster.&nbsp; My knee was scraped and bloody, but that
was it.&nbsp; I tried to be as cool as possible as I walked away...
</p>
<p>
...until the Fed Ex lady pulled up, beeped the horn, and yelled "Your cell phone and
your keys are laying on the sidewalk back there!"
</p>
<p>
Doh!&nbsp; Self-respect elimination, complete...your work here is done, Murphy.
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=adb7c569-3ca4-4e08-915c-3815e5137fc5" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,adb7c569-3ca4-4e08-915c-3815e5137fc5.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitnesshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=4540a251-3c8b-4846-84ce-c07cbc65bc03http://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,4540a251-3c8b-4846-84ce-c07cbc65bc03.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,4540a251-3c8b-4846-84ce-c07cbc65bc03.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=4540a251-3c8b-4846-84ce-c07cbc65bc03

"Leftovers"

I'm still adjusting to it being spring, with the snow melted and all that. Now
I can ride my bike to the gym, or run if I wish. Today I rode my bike, as I
had already been out for a long walk with the dog.

So I arrived a the gym and my work-out went really smoothly. I was able to put
a lot of explosive power into each lift, and really get the muscles burning.
Sometimes I arrive with a sort of lackluster energy level, and can't really shake
it. Not today. The muscles were really happy to work, and the burn felt
GOOD! In fact, I was completely wrecked by the time I finished my stretches.
I was a big pile of goo, ready to go out and get in my car and drive home for a soak
and additional stretching in the neighbor's hot-tub (whish we have a standing invitation
to use any time we want to, as it is out-of-doors and they're really nice people).

Yep, I'd managed to put everything I had into my work-out, and I felt really good
about it. I hadn't held anything back...

...and then I opened the locker and saw the bike helmet there.

Crap.

It was only a mile-and-a-half home, and surprisingly,even though I thought I had nothing
left...I made it back.

"I juggle my family" (ten brownie points the the person who gets
that referance. Hint: it is said with a crap Russian accent)

Two of my favorite machines are the hip abductor and hip adductor machines.
I like to work on explosive power on these machines, keeping the weight down somewhat,
and just working on maintaining a fast and powerful, but controlled contraction through
the full range of motion. I've found that this has really helped those muscles
relax later, when I stretch them, and has helped my flexibility as well as the speed
of my kicks. These muscles take a lot of abuse in the martial arts, and isolating
them for a little intense, focused work makes them feel really good.

I do 145 lbs on each machine (these machines work both legs at the same time,
so it isn't as much as it sounds).

Anyway, I got on the hip abductor the other day, and the weight was set to ninety
lbs. I didn't think anything of it, there are a lot of little old ladies at
the gym that time of day, and tiny little trophy wives. They use the weight
machines, but can't lift very much weight (I routinely find the bench press at 50
lbs).

I rapped off my first set of twenty, and then paused before doing the second set,
and realized that the lady on the hip adductor machine next to me was openly staring
at me.

I wondered for a minute if there was a green, slobbering space monster behind me or
something, but then I realized that the lady had the machine set to 90 LBS.
I smiled. She smiled back uncertainly, and then began painfully struggling through
another set.

I blew through my second set, and went on to the glute machine to wait for her to
be done with the one she was on.

The moral of the story is, apparently, I am very scary to suburban housewives.

"Dirty old men...kind of".

There's this little old lady that I see at the gym sometimes. I'll call her
"Carmen". She's in her late '60's and she's just the cutest thing. she
wears a pink Nike track suit, and she works out everyday at about the same time.
I always enjoy seeing her there, because she's friendly, but I must admit that I get
some entertainment at her expense sometimes.

I'm not proud of it, but I think you'll forgive me when I tell you why.

Carmen has replaced much of the subcutaneous fat that we all have when we are younger
with a nice layer of muscle. She does a lot of shaping and toning
exercises, so that her posture and shape is that of a much younger woman...

...and hence the humor

You will see her working out, and every once in a while you will see an older man
here or there who has not encountered Carmen yet, and he will be checking out her
butt.

Then, he suddenly realizes that he is checking out the butt of a woman he must imagine
is decades younger than himself, and he looks chagrined. Then, he gets a look
a Carmen's face and realizes that under that dyed red hair is the face of someone
more his age, and then he gets a different expression a "I was checking THAT out?!?"
expression...and then he realizes that the old lady he finds so unattractive is his
own age, and he gets another facial expression, which is best described as deflated.

Postcards from the gym.http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,4540a251-3c8b-4846-84ce-c07cbc65bc03.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Postcards+From+The+Gym.aspx
Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:32:28 GMT<p>
<strong>"Leftovers"</strong>
</p>
<p>
I'm still adjusting to it being spring, with the snow melted and all that.&nbsp; Now
I can ride my bike to the gym, or run if I wish.&nbsp; Today I rode my bike, as I
had already been out for a long walk with the dog.
</p>
<p>
So I arrived a the gym and my work-out went really smoothly.&nbsp; I was able to put
a lot of explosive power into each lift, and really get the muscles burning.&nbsp;
Sometimes I arrive with a sort of lackluster energy level, and can't really shake
it.&nbsp; Not today.&nbsp; The muscles were really happy to work, and the burn felt
GOOD!&nbsp; In fact, I was completely wrecked by the time I finished my stretches.&nbsp;
I was a big pile of goo, ready to go out and get in my car and drive home for a soak
and additional stretching in the neighbor's hot-tub (whish we have a standing invitation
to use any time we want to, as it is out-of-doors and they're really nice people).
</p>
<p>
Yep, I'd managed to put everything I had into my work-out, and I felt really good
about it.&nbsp; I hadn't held anything back...
</p>
<p>
...and then I opened the locker and saw the bike helmet there.
</p>
<p>
Crap.
</p>
<p>
It was only a mile-and-a-half home, and surprisingly,even though I thought I had nothing
left...I made it back.
</p>
<p>
<strong></strong>&nbsp;
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;
</p>
<p>
<strong>"I juggle my family"</strong> (ten brownie points the the person who gets
that referance.&nbsp; Hint: it is said with a crap Russian accent)
</p>
<p>
Two of my favorite machines are the hip abductor and hip adductor machines.&nbsp;
I like to work on explosive power on these machines, keeping the weight down somewhat,
and just working on maintaining a fast and powerful, but controlled contraction through
the full range of motion.&nbsp; I've found that this has really helped those muscles
relax later, when I stretch them, and has helped my flexibility as well as the speed
of my kicks.&nbsp; These muscles take a lot of abuse in the martial arts, and isolating
them for a little intense, focused work makes them feel really good.
</p>
<p>
I do 145 lbs on each machine&nbsp; (these machines work both legs at the same time,
so it isn't as much as it sounds).
</p>
<p>
Anyway, I got on the hip abductor the other day, and the weight was set to ninety
lbs.&nbsp; I didn't think anything of it, there are a lot of little old ladies at
the gym that time of day, and tiny little trophy wives.&nbsp; They use the weight
machines, but can't lift very much weight (I routinely find the bench press at 50
lbs).
</p>
<p>
I rapped off my first set of twenty, and then paused before doing the second set,
and realized that the lady on the hip adductor machine next to me was openly staring
at me.
</p>
<p>
I wondered for a minute if there was a green, slobbering space monster behind me or
something, but then I realized that the lady had the machine set to 90 LBS.&nbsp;
I smiled.&nbsp; She smiled back uncertainly, and then began painfully struggling through
another set.
</p>
<p>
I blew through my second set, and went on to the glute machine to wait for her to
be done with the one she was on.
</p>
<p>
The moral of the story is, apparently, I am very scary to suburban housewives.
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;
</p>
<p>
<strong>"Dirty old men...kind of".</strong>
</p>
<p>
There's this little old lady that I see at the gym sometimes.&nbsp; I'll call her
"Carmen".&nbsp; She's in her late '60's and she's just the cutest thing.&nbsp; she
wears a pink Nike track suit, and she works out everyday at about the same time.&nbsp;
I always enjoy seeing her there, because she's friendly, but I must admit that I get
some entertainment at her expense sometimes.
</p>
<p>
I'm not proud of it, but I think you'll forgive me when I tell you why.
</p>
<p>
Carmen has replaced much of the subcutaneous fat that we all have when we are younger
with a nice layer of muscle.&nbsp; She does a&nbsp;lot&nbsp;of shaping and toning
exercises, so that her posture and shape is that of a much younger woman...
</p>
<p>
...and hence the humor
</p>
<p>
You will see her working out, and every once in a while you will see an older man
here or there who has not encountered Carmen yet, and he will be checking out her
butt.
</p>
<p>
Then, he suddenly realizes that he is checking out the butt of a woman he must imagine
is decades younger than himself, and he looks chagrined.&nbsp; Then, he gets a look
a Carmen's face and realizes that under that dyed red hair is the face of someone
more his age, and then he gets a different expression a "I was checking THAT out?!?"
expression...and then he realizes that the old lady he finds so unattractive is his
own age, and he gets another facial expression, which is best described as deflated.
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=4540a251-3c8b-4846-84ce-c07cbc65bc03" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,4540a251-3c8b-4846-84ce-c07cbc65bc03.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitness;Personalhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=18a5a1e6-92bd-4208-b464-c731a93e4c26http://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,18a5a1e6-92bd-4208-b464-c731a93e4c26.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,18a5a1e6-92bd-4208-b464-c731a93e4c26.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=18a5a1e6-92bd-4208-b464-c731a93e4c264

Had a great time at Kung Fu today. One of the other second degree black belts
and I mixed it up with some old-school grappling/strikeing/take-down/groundwork stuff.
It was fun.

I got to show off the superior core-lower-body strength of women fighters. Men
like to think that they have the upper-hand because of superior upper-body strength,
but in the end, all that does is put you at risk for letting yourself get put off
balance. Don't get me wrong, upper-body strength is great for climbing trees
and chucking spears and stuff, but when it comes to throwing your opponant over your
hip, I'll take a nice, low, girlie center of gravity any day.

I also got to show how rabbit punches (sorry, meant rapid punches.)to
the body, comined with knees to the solar plexus and elbows to the jaw can short-circuit
a lot of standard wrestling moves.

And yes, I pretty much got powned after my opponant drove his shoulder into my chest,
and knocked me into the wall. I wasn't even thinking when he went to back off and
I put him into an elbow lock, but I didn't hit him.

Normally, I hold back quite a bit because I am sparring lower-ranked people and it
is my responsibility to make sure that neither of us gets injured, and to make sure
that they improve and learn.

What's great about this, though is that even thought it LOOKED like we should have
been completely wrecked after the fight (knees to the solar plexus, elbows to
the jaw, trips, throws, etc. - neither one of us had even a minor injury.

I get more bruises from a tepid sparring match with an intermediate student.

I got rocked pretty good when my break-fall didn't completly keep my head from hitting
the ground after a leg-trap-take-down, but it cleared right away. No worries.

I'm happy endorphine girl now. It's been a while since baby's been able
to play.

Those asses don't kick themselves, you know.http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,18a5a1e6-92bd-4208-b464-c731a93e4c26.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Those+Asses+Dont+Kick+Themselves+You+Know.aspx
Sun, 06 Apr 2008 00:25:41 GMT<p>
Had a great time at Kung Fu today.&nbsp; One of the other second degree black belts
and I mixed it up with some old-school grappling/strikeing/take-down/groundwork stuff.&nbsp;
It was fun.
</p>
<p>
I got to show off the superior core-lower-body strength of women fighters.&nbsp; Men
like to think that they have the upper-hand because of superior upper-body strength,
but in the end, all that does is put you at risk for letting yourself get put off
balance.&nbsp; Don't get me wrong, upper-body strength is great for climbing trees
and chucking spears and stuff, but when it comes to throwing your opponant over your
hip, I'll take a nice, low, girlie center of gravity any day.&nbsp;
</p>
<p>
I also got to show how <strike>rabbit punches</strike>&nbsp;(sorry, meant rapid punches.)to
the body, comined with knees to the solar plexus and elbows to the jaw can short-circuit
a lot of standard wrestling moves.
</p>
<p>
And yes, I pretty much got powned after my opponant drove his shoulder into my chest,
and knocked me into the wall. I wasn't even thinking when he went to back off and
I put him into an elbow lock, but I didn't hit him.
</p>
<p>
Normally, I hold back quite a bit because I am sparring lower-ranked people and it
is my responsibility to make sure that neither of us gets injured, and to make sure
that they improve and learn.
</p>
<p>
What's great about this, though is that even thought it LOOKED like we should have
been completely wrecked&nbsp;after the fight (knees to the solar plexus, elbows to
the jaw, trips, throws, etc. - neither one of us had even a minor injury.
</p>
<p>
I&nbsp;get more bruises from a tepid&nbsp;sparring match with an intermediate student.&nbsp;
</p>
<p>
I got rocked pretty good when my break-fall didn't completly keep my head from hitting
the ground after a leg-trap-take-down, but it cleared right away.&nbsp; No worries.&nbsp;
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;I'm happy endorphine girl now.&nbsp; It's been a while since baby's been able
to play.
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=18a5a1e6-92bd-4208-b464-c731a93e4c26" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,18a5a1e6-92bd-4208-b464-c731a93e4c26.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitness;Personalhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=7255f526-c0d8-4a11-b464-596f4286af4chttp://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,7255f526-c0d8-4a11-b464-596f4286af4c.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,7255f526-c0d8-4a11-b464-596f4286af4c.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=7255f526-c0d8-4a11-b464-596f4286af4c

I taught Kung Fu for seven hours straight today. After about four hours, I stopped
doing everything my students did, but I still had to do almost constant demos to help
them.

When I am demo-ing for students, I like to model perfect form and explosive power.
Sometimes, when I am just refershing their memory, I will be more relaxed, and not
go deep into the stances, or preform the moves with full power. However, the
first time I teach them the moves, and any time I am critiquing their technique, I
like to put everything into being the best example I can be.

I am completely exhausted right now. It hurts to sit in any one position for
too long, or even to lay down in one position too long. Every part of my body
seems over-sensitive.

Legend has it that the monks used to train to exhaustion...to the point where they
collapsed.

Well, I wasn't quite there, but I WILL say that I think I will go and hang out
in the steam shower for a little while now...thanks. Do some Yoga in a 115 degree,
steam-filled room and hopefully I will be able to go and train tomorrow.

I'm too old for this shit. :-)

Lactic acid overdose.http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,7255f526-c0d8-4a11-b464-596f4286af4c.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Lactic+Acid+Overdose.aspx
Sun, 16 Mar 2008 03:56:27 GMT<p>
I taught Kung Fu for seven hours straight today.&nbsp; After about four hours, I stopped
doing everything my students did, but I still had to do almost constant demos to help
them.
</p>
<p>
When I am demo-ing for students, I like to model perfect form and explosive power.&nbsp;
Sometimes, when I am just refershing their memory, I will be more relaxed, and not
go deep into the stances, or preform the moves with full power.&nbsp; However, the
first time I teach them the moves, and any time I am critiquing their technique, I
like to put everything into being the best example I can be.
</p>
<p>
I am completely exhausted right now.&nbsp; It hurts to sit in any one position for
too long, or even to lay down in one position too long.&nbsp; Every part of my body
seems over-sensitive.
</p>
<p>
Legend has it that the monks used to train to exhaustion...to the point where they
collapsed.
</p>
<p>
Well, I wasn't quite there, but I WILL say that I think&nbsp;I will go and hang out
in the steam shower for a little while now...thanks.&nbsp; Do some Yoga in a 115 degree,
steam-filled room and hopefully I will be able to go and train tomorrow.
</p>
<p>
I'm too old for this shit.&nbsp; :-)
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=7255f526-c0d8-4a11-b464-596f4286af4c" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,7255f526-c0d8-4a11-b464-596f4286af4c.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitnesshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=5949b70c-7537-4aa2-adab-b6e714b4c87dhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,5949b70c-7537-4aa2-adab-b6e714b4c87d.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,5949b70c-7537-4aa2-adab-b6e714b4c87d.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=5949b70c-7537-4aa2-adab-b6e714b4c87d

I mean, I'm not trying to dis the usefulness of visualization...'cause it CAN
BE helpful for certain kinds of people, and practice can make you more effective
at helpful visualisation.

Somehow, merely being useful rescues the concept of "mind-body connection" from
the New Age label, I guess.

And through a doctor's guidence I used "biofeedback" to short-circuit panic attacks...I
suppose 'cause it seemed to work in my case that makes it not "altie woo-woo medicine"
even though it can't be scientifically verified to be effective across a random sample
of the population?

LOL!http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,5949b70c-7537-4aa2-adab-b6e714b4c87d.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/LOL.aspx
Tue, 22 Jan 2008 05:21:16 GMT<p>
<a href="http://www.straighttothebar.com/2008/01/visualization_its_not_just_for.html">"Don’t
worry, this isn’t feel good new age spirituality, it is simple mind-body connection."</a>
</p>
<p>
I mean, I'm not trying to dis the usefulness of visualization...'cause it&nbsp;CAN
BE&nbsp;helpful for certain kinds of people, and practice can make you more effective
at helpful visualisation.
</p>
<p>
Somehow,&nbsp;merely being useful rescues the concept of "mind-body connection" from
the New Age label, I guess.
</p>
<p>
And through a doctor's guidence I used "biofeedback" to short-circuit panic attacks...I
suppose 'cause it seemed to work in my case that makes it not "altie woo-woo medicine"
even though it can't be scientifically verified to be effective across a random sample
of the population?
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=5949b70c-7537-4aa2-adab-b6e714b4c87d" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,5949b70c-7537-4aa2-adab-b6e714b4c87d.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitness;Whaaaaa??http://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=54364c16-28c5-41a2-8cb1-58fd9b5d8f36http://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,54364c16-28c5-41a2-8cb1-58fd9b5d8f36.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,54364c16-28c5-41a2-8cb1-58fd9b5d8f36.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=54364c16-28c5-41a2-8cb1-58fd9b5d8f36

So I wrote an e-mail to my friend, Mike, who I took over the Kung Fu classes for.
I was asking him for some information, and then told him that I thought the classes
were going well, with the exception that I felt like the kids were still looking at
me like I was from another planet, so I must do things very differently from him.

He just responded. Among other things, he says: "They are probably looking at
you like you are from anothere planet because you are really weird, and probably have
booger or something hanging out of your nose."

mutter mumble grumble.

Nothing like supportive friends.http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,54364c16-28c5-41a2-8cb1-58fd9b5d8f36.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Nothing+Like+Supportive+Friends.aspx
Thu, 15 Nov 2007 02:38:48 GMT<p>
So I wrote an e-mail to my friend, Mike, who I took over the Kung Fu classes for.&nbsp;
I was asking him for some information, and then told him that I thought the classes
were going well, with the exception that I felt like the kids were still looking at
me like I was from another planet, so I must do things very differently from him.
</p>
<p>
He just responded.&nbsp; Among other things, he says: "They are probably looking at
you like you are from anothere planet because you are really weird, and probably have
booger or something hanging out of your nose."
</p>
<p>
mutter mumble grumble.
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=54364c16-28c5-41a2-8cb1-58fd9b5d8f36" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,54364c16-28c5-41a2-8cb1-58fd9b5d8f36.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitness;Personalhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=dcc182b5-950f-4e61-94c1-e9201c151d8chttp://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,dcc182b5-950f-4e61-94c1-e9201c151d8c.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,dcc182b5-950f-4e61-94c1-e9201c151d8c.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=dcc182b5-950f-4e61-94c1-e9201c151d8c3

I've been cutting up deer, organizing my house, cutting up piles and piles of undonatable
junk clothing into quilting squares, and trying to rid the yard of fall leaves.

Also, I've been volunteering as an ESL tutor. So far, I've been teaching a Somali
woman and a Ukranian man. I highly recommend doing ESL tutoring for anyone who
thinks that immigrants are just lazy slugs coming here to drain our society.
You wouldn't believe how hard-working and appreciative they are. They are America's
greatest fans, happy to be here, and looking forward to forging a great future in
the "land of opportunity". Programs can always use more tutors.

Oh yeah, and they've added three Kung Fu classes to my teaching schedule. I've
got my two special needs classes, two classes for typical children, and an adult class.
One of my classes has 20 students! I might have a co-teacher as soon as one
of the other second degree black belts returns from hernia surgery...but I don't know.
I might be on my own from now on!

Needless to say, time has been a little tight, but this Kung Fu teaching is starting
to look more and more like a job than a marginally profitable hobby.

Busy busy newsy newshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,dcc182b5-950f-4e61-94c1-e9201c151d8c.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Busy+Busy+Newsy+News.aspx
Tue, 06 Nov 2007 17:07:10 GMT<p>
For those of you who have been wondering if the world opened up under my feet and
swallowed me whole, <a href="http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,e6680693-1e5b-47b9-9be0-241e67f69cc1.aspx">or
if the ferocious Neo-Nazi home-decorator squad</a> came and got me, none of the above.
</p>
<p>
I've been cutting up deer, organizing my house, cutting up piles and piles of undonatable
junk clothing into quilting squares, and trying to rid the yard of fall leaves.
</p>
<p>
Also, I've been volunteering as an ESL tutor.&nbsp; So far, I've been teaching a Somali
woman and a Ukranian man.&nbsp; I highly recommend doing ESL tutoring for anyone who
thinks that immigrants are just lazy slugs coming here to drain our society.&nbsp;
You wouldn't believe how hard-working and appreciative they are.&nbsp; They are America's
greatest fans, happy to be here, and looking forward to forging a great future in
the "land of opportunity".&nbsp; Programs can always use more tutors.
</p>
<p>
Oh yeah, and they've added three Kung Fu classes to my teaching schedule.&nbsp; I've
got my two special needs classes, two classes for typical children, and an adult class.&nbsp;
One of my classes has 20 students!&nbsp; I might have a co-teacher as soon as one
of the other second degree black belts returns from hernia surgery...but I don't know.&nbsp;
I might be on my own from now on!
</p>
<p>
Needless to say, time has been a little tight, but this Kung Fu teaching is starting
to look more and more like a job than a marginally profitable hobby.
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=dcc182b5-950f-4e61-94c1-e9201c151d8c" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,dcc182b5-950f-4e61-94c1-e9201c151d8c.aspxeducation;Kung Fu/Running/Fitness;Personalhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=0445d9e2-0dcd-44d1-a84f-ab28b000b1eahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,0445d9e2-0dcd-44d1-a84f-ab28b000b1ea.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,0445d9e2-0dcd-44d1-a84f-ab28b000b1ea.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=0445d9e2-0dcd-44d1-a84f-ab28b000b1ea2Newsy-news for those who carehttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,0445d9e2-0dcd-44d1-a84f-ab28b000b1ea.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Newsynews+For+Those+Who+Care.aspx
Sat, 27 Oct 2007 12:01:32 GMT<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>Home Front 1 Allergies:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>No
reaction to the allergy injections, beyond the expected swelling and rash at the injection
site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I’m told that I must do a peak-flow
test every time I come in to get the injections (every 3-10 days – 7 being optimal).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I’ll
need to come in that frequently for about 6 months, until I reach my maintenance level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Then,
it will be roughly every 28 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>As
an aside, my peak flow measurement is still 600, despite the fact that I have not
been running or training with nearly the vigor I usually do for quite some time now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Not
bad for an asthmatic, eh?</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
<o:p>
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>Home Front 2<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Kung
Fu:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I’ve been given three more classes
to teach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The classes previously belonged
to my friend, and Kung Fu “brother”, Mike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>He’s
found a new job that will require him to travel, and he has to give up his classes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
now have three classes with typical students in addition to my two classes with special
needs students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Mike is a very good teacher,
and his students have a very high level of achievement over-all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>As
far as I can tell, there are no super-stars, but all of his students perform at a
high level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The highest rank in his class
is 3rd yellow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The classes are fairly
homogeneous as far as rank goes, so I don’t have to worry about teaching to all different
levels at once.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>A real load off my mind!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Still,
I am going to have to work very hard to keep the level of instruction as high as Mike
has set the bar!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>A little daunting.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<o:p>
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>Home Front 3:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
think Rocky’s coming down with the flu.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>Home front 4:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Rocky’s
brother and his family is staying with us this weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>A
happy, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</span>bustling household.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The
kids are thrilled to see their cousins.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>Home Front 5:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Grasshopper
has a cello recital today at 3:30 in Minneapolis, and I have to judge a Kung Fu contest
in Hopkins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Rocky is speaking at a Code
Camp in Bloomington, and Adventure Boy is going to be the only one who stays put in
the house today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Yet, there will always
be several people home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Weird.</font>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=0445d9e2-0dcd-44d1-a84f-ab28b000b1ea" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,0445d9e2-0dcd-44d1-a84f-ab28b000b1ea.aspxGeneral Health;Kung Fu/Running/Fitness;Personalhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=6f4c429f-8a76-4cb9-a4e7-3106616faf49http://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,6f4c429f-8a76-4cb9-a4e7-3106616faf49.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,6f4c429f-8a76-4cb9-a4e7-3106616faf49.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=6f4c429f-8a76-4cb9-a4e7-3106616faf493

I feel bad for her, I really do.I
know what this condition does to a person, and I know how it feels to have it go undiagnosed.Depression,
fatigue, a sense of impending mental break-down or dissipation.I
remember with horror the inability to focus thoughts, inability to discipline oneself.

I understand how much willpower it takes
to drag your body out of bed and meet the demands of the day, force yourself against
the screaming drag of your own body to force yourself to exercise…only to gain weight.

No amount of make-up can hide the bad
skin, no amount of careful self-maintenance can get rid of the blue bags under the
eyes, the dullness of the hair.

“You look tired” gets to be like a mantra
chanted by everyone you meet.Sometimes
with sympathy or concern, more often with a bit of the gloat behind it.What
they really mean is “You’ve really let yourself go”.

Going to the doctor to find out what’s
wrong, you’re told the only prescription you need is more self-discipline and will-power.

Even the Oprah show, which made its
name singing the praise of persevering in the face of insurmountable problems manages
to slap you in the face, when Dr. Phil says “You’re not fat because of your thyroid.That’s
just an excuse.”

I actually went to the website and left
a comment.I said it was irresponsible
for Dr. Phil to say something like that.I
went back later to see if there had been any response to my comment, and I couldn’t
find it anywhere.I assumed it had been
deleted.

I
had gone for years with an undiagnosed thyroid problem because of just such a response
from a Doctor, who refused to administer a simple blood test, despite the fact that
I have a family history of low thyroid, and all the symptoms.And
I DO mean all of them.The CNP who eventually
ran the test said that I was in s life-threatening situation, and not just because
of the suicidal thoughts.

But this doctor just gave me the smug
look, and the condescending encouragement to do more push-ups…push up from the table.He
actually SAID that.

Normally, I would have stormed out of
his office and went to find a doctor who would run the test.Unfortunately,
depression and fatigue caused me to simply shut down in shame and never mention it
again…until my friend Sue kicked my ass and told me that she didn’t know what was
wrong with me, but I’d better figure it out soon, because she didn’t like who I had
become, and she wanted her friend back.

I’m sorry for Oprah that she has to
go through this.But I’m glad that finally,
she might address this really important subject, and empower women with knowledge
and encouragement to speak up for themselves and demand to be tested if they suspect
they have a thyroid problem.

Thyroid disorders require constant maintenance.I
recently went in for my annual test, and found that I might have to have my dosage
upped again.Not a big surprise.I’ve
gained weight, and I’m tired and cranky when normally I would be chipper and happy.I’ve
been unable to focus at my usual level in normal times, and become downright useless
in times of stress.Things that were
once easy, have become difficult.I’m
confused, forgetful, and sad.

But I’m going to get a second test done,
and it’s likely that a simple dosage adjustment will fix the problem.It’s
such a simple solution.All you need
is the knowledge of what your condition is, and the support of knowledgeable people
to help you treat it appropriately.

Oprah's thyroidhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,6f4c429f-8a76-4cb9-a4e7-3106616faf49.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Oprahs+Thyroid.aspx
Sat, 20 Oct 2007 14:36:35 GMT<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<a href="http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/19/oprahs-thyroid-club/"><font face=Calibri size=3>So
now Oprah has been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism</font></a><font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypothyroidism"><font face=Calibri size=3>Here’s
the Wikipedia page for hypothyroidism.</font></a>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>I feel bad for her, I really do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
know what this condition does to a person, and I know how it feels to have it go undiagnosed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Depression,
fatigue, a sense of impending mental break-down or dissipation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
remember with horror the inability to focus thoughts, inability to discipline oneself.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>I understand how much willpower it takes to
drag your body out of bed and meet the demands of the day, force yourself against
the screaming drag of your own body to force yourself to exercise…only to gain weight.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>No amount of make-up can hide the bad skin,
no amount of careful self-maintenance can get rid of the blue bags under the eyes,
the dullness of the hair.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>“You look tired” gets to be like a mantra
chanted by everyone you meet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Sometimes
with sympathy or concern, more often with a bit of the gloat behind it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>What
they really mean is “You’ve really let yourself go”.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>Going to the doctor to find out what’s wrong,
you’re told the only prescription you need is more self-discipline and will-power.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>Even the Oprah show, which made its name singing
the praise of persevering in the face of insurmountable problems manages to slap you
in the face, when Dr. Phil says “You’re not fat because of your thyroid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>That’s
just an excuse.”</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>I actually went to the website and left a
comment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I said it was irresponsible
for Dr. Phil to say something like that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
went back later to see if there had been any response to my comment, and I couldn’t
find it anywhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I assumed it had been
deleted.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face=Calibri><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</span>I
had gone for years with an undiagnosed thyroid problem because of just such a response
from a Doctor, who refused to administer a simple blood test, despite the fact that
I have a family history of low thyroid, and all the symptoms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>And
I DO mean all of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The CNP who eventually
ran the test said that I was in s life-threatening situation, and not just because
of the suicidal thoughts.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>But this doctor just gave me the smug look,
and the condescending encouragement to do more push-ups…push up from the table.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>He
actually SAID that.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>Normally, I would have stormed out of his
office and went to find a doctor who would run the test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Unfortunately,
depression and fatigue caused me to simply shut down in shame and never mention it
again…until my friend Sue kicked my ass and told me that she didn’t know what was
wrong with me, but I’d better figure it out soon, because she didn’t like who I had
become, and she wanted her friend back.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>I’m sorry for Oprah that she has to go through
this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>But I’m glad that finally, she
might address this really important subject, and empower women with knowledge and
encouragement to speak up for themselves and demand to be tested if they suspect they
have a thyroid problem.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>Thyroid disorders require constant maintenance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
recently went in for my annual test, and found that I might have to have my dosage
upped again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Not a big surprise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I’ve
gained weight, and I’m tired and cranky when normally I would be chipper and happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I’ve
been unable to focus at my usual level in normal times, and become downright useless
in times of stress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Things that were
once easy, have become difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I’m
confused, forgetful, and sad.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>But I’m going to get a second test done, and
it’s likely that a simple dosage adjustment will fix the problem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It’s
such a simple solution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>All you need
is the knowledge of what your condition is, and the support of knowledgeable people
to help you treat it appropriately.</font>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=6f4c429f-8a76-4cb9-a4e7-3106616faf49" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,6f4c429f-8a76-4cb9-a4e7-3106616faf49.aspxGeneral Health;Kung Fu/Running/Fitness;Pop Culture;science in the newshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=3f66b0d2-c15c-4b8e-af0a-3b8b2de35f63http://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,3f66b0d2-c15c-4b8e-af0a-3b8b2de35f63.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,3f66b0d2-c15c-4b8e-af0a-3b8b2de35f63.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=3f66b0d2-c15c-4b8e-af0a-3b8b2de35f63

In a couple of weeks, my friend and Kung Fu "brother", Chris, will be heading for
Iraq.

For those of you who weren't here for my Black-belt saga, Chris is the really big
guy who gave me the merciless "beat down" for my sparring match at the end of my test.
Exhausted, sore, mentally and physically drained, I had to go three minutes non-stop
fighting this guy who probably outweighs me by close to 100 LBS and is a good eight
inches taller than me...and who does 150 mile bike races for "fun" and charity.

I could hardly lift my hands above my waist, but Chris came at me like a freightrain,
and got the adrenaline going so I could not only lift my hands, but hit him hard enough
to spin his head-gear around sideways once, and cave his belly in enough to make him
give out a "whoofing" noise.

I don't really remember much of that fight (I was somewhere else in my head, cross-country
skiing), but suffice it to say that it had the "buddy-cop" effect.

Chris is kind, good-natured, competative and generous. He's a good man, and
a good friend. We'll all miss him, as will his wife and his German Shephard,
Axel.

Good luck, Chris, keep yer head down, and thanks for serving.

Another American soldier does his job.http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,3f66b0d2-c15c-4b8e-af0a-3b8b2de35f63.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Another+American+Soldier+Does+His+Job.aspx
Tue, 28 Aug 2007 00:39:04 GMT<p>
In a couple of weeks, my friend and Kung Fu "brother", Chris, will be heading for
Iraq.
</p>
<p>
For those of you who weren't here for my Black-belt saga, Chris is the really big
guy who gave me the merciless "beat down" for my sparring match at the end of my test.&nbsp;
Exhausted, sore, mentally and physically drained, I had to go three minutes non-stop
fighting this guy who probably outweighs me by close to 100 LBS and is a good eight
inches taller than me...and who does 150 mile bike races for "fun" and charity.
</p>
<p>
I could hardly lift my hands above my waist, but Chris came at me like a freightrain,
and got the adrenaline going so I could not only lift my hands, but hit him hard enough
to spin his head-gear around sideways once, and cave his belly in enough to make him
give out a "whoofing" noise.
</p>
<p>
I don't really remember much of that fight (I was somewhere else in my head, cross-country
skiing), but suffice it to say that it had the "buddy-cop" effect.
</p>
<p>
Chris is kind, good-natured, competative and generous.&nbsp; He's a good man, and
a good friend.&nbsp; We'll all miss him, as will his wife and his German Shephard,
Axel.
</p>
<p>
Good luck, Chris, keep yer head down, and thanks for serving.
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=3f66b0d2-c15c-4b8e-af0a-3b8b2de35f63" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,3f66b0d2-c15c-4b8e-af0a-3b8b2de35f63.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitness;Personalhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=af652faa-51da-494a-830c-4cfb29219290http://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,af652faa-51da-494a-830c-4cfb29219290.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,af652faa-51da-494a-830c-4cfb29219290.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=af652faa-51da-494a-830c-4cfb29219290

I ran a mile today as a warm-up for sparring class. I was able to breath the
entire time! (and for the eight laps up and down three flights of stairs.)

If these new meds keep working, who knows, I might be up to try a half-marathon
by the end of the season. No marathons for me, though. I need more speed
if I'm going to try that. I can't run for five hours straight. I'm not
like the man who runs all day.

The Road back.http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,af652faa-51da-494a-830c-4cfb29219290.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/The+Road+Back.aspx
Mon, 14 May 2007 03:18:31 GMT<p>
I ran a mile today as a warm-up for sparring class.&nbsp; I was able to breath the
entire time! (and for the eight laps up and down three flights of stairs.)
</p>
<p>
If these new meds&nbsp;keep working, who knows, I might be up to try a half-marathon
by the end of the season.&nbsp; No marathons for me, though.&nbsp; I need more speed
if I'm going to try that.&nbsp; I can't run for five hours straight.&nbsp; I'm not
like the man who runs all day.
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=af652faa-51da-494a-830c-4cfb29219290" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,af652faa-51da-494a-830c-4cfb29219290.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitnesshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=d9ef78b1-e755-4700-be5b-2af1a800c7c8http://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,d9ef78b1-e755-4700-be5b-2af1a800c7c8.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,d9ef78b1-e755-4700-be5b-2af1a800c7c8.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=d9ef78b1-e755-4700-be5b-2af1a800c7c84The Man Who Runs All Dayhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,d9ef78b1-e755-4700-be5b-2af1a800c7c8.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/The+Man+Who+Runs+All+Day.aspx
Tue, 08 May 2007 13:32:32 GMT<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>“There he is”, I say.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>Grasshopper nods, “Yep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The
man who runs all day.”</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
<o:p>
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>The sixty-something <span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</span>guy
chugs past us, oblivious as always, with his headphones playing whatever sixty-something
men listen to when they run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>He’s wearing
his usual spring get-up of gym shorts and a commemorative tee-shirt from some run
or another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>In the winter he is in a
heavy track suit, hat and scarf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I don’t
know if he has special shoes to handle the ice or not.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>I don’t think it’s ageist of me to worry about
him slipping on the ice and breaking a hip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
worry about that for myself, and I’m not even forty yet.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>Anyway, every day we are out waiting for the
bus, rain or shine, summer or winter, wrath of the great old ones or thankfully pre-apocalyptic,
he chugs past us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>As reliable as a Maytag
is reputed to be.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>We call him “the man who runs all day” because
one day Grasshopper and I were out running errands on a weekday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It
was one of those blessed no-school days, yet we were up and about at bus time (8:00AM),
ready to begin the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The running man
was there, on schedule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>We waved at him
as he passed in front of us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>He chugged
on, oblivious.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>We passed him on our way to the mall to pick
up some things at Target, drop some stuff off at the dry cleaners, buy some things
the dog needed, get the oil changed in the van.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>We
had lunch at the mall, splitting a plate of Chinese food from the food court.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>I decide to take the alternate route home,
and there he is, the running guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It’s
after one in the afternoon, and there he is…still running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>His
knobby gnarled calves churning away at the pavement like pistons in an engine…persistant,
mechanical, seemingly effortless precision.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>Two hours later, I have to take grasshopper
to an appointment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>There’s the running
guy, strolling along on his way back towards our house, not looking the least bit
fatigued.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Back straight, slightly paunchy
belly moving in a barely perceptible fashion with his easy breathing, bald head not
particularly gleamy.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt">
<font face=Calibri color=#000000 size=3>And that’s why we call him the man who runs
all day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Because “The man who runs 2/3
of the day” doesn’t have quite the same ring to it.</font>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=d9ef78b1-e755-4700-be5b-2af1a800c7c8" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,d9ef78b1-e755-4700-be5b-2af1a800c7c8.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitnesshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=0c993a67-b858-4f28-84ad-e0b98f79b934http://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,0c993a67-b858-4f28-84ad-e0b98f79b934.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,0c993a67-b858-4f28-84ad-e0b98f79b934.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=0c993a67-b858-4f28-84ad-e0b98f79b934

Grasshopper and one of his best friends (S-dogg)got into a knock-down fight at Kung
Fu yesterday.

Apparently, S-dogg punched Grasshopper in the throat (not a legitamate target), AND
hit him a little harder than the "light touch" that they were instructed to use.

So Grasshopper punched back really hard. They then attacked each other full
force, and fell to the ground, whereupon ShiFu broke them up.

I arrived shortly after, and they were not speaking. As we walked out to the
car, I told them a little story about a similar thing happening with me and a friend
of mine in the Karate school. I tried to make it funny and instill in them the
idea that one day they would laugh together about this.

By the time I dropped S-dogg off at his house, they were laughing and sharing snacks.

Isn't that just like boys? All-in with the fight, and then totally over it when
it's over.

All Boyhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,0c993a67-b858-4f28-84ad-e0b98f79b934.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/All+Boy.aspx
Sun, 06 May 2007 19:22:17 GMT<p>
Grasshopper and one of his best friends (S-dogg)got into a knock-down fight at Kung
Fu yesterday.
</p>
<p>
Apparently, S-dogg punched Grasshopper in the throat (not a legitamate target), AND
hit him a little harder than the "light touch" that they were instructed to use.
</p>
<p>
So Grasshopper punched back really hard.&nbsp; They then attacked each other full
force, and fell to the ground, whereupon ShiFu broke them up.
</p>
<p>
I arrived shortly after, and they were not speaking.&nbsp; As we walked out to the
car, I told them a little story about a similar thing happening with me and a friend
of mine in the Karate school.&nbsp; I tried to make it funny and instill in them the
idea that one day they would laugh together about this.
</p>
<p>
By the time I dropped S-dogg off at his house, they were laughing and sharing snacks.
</p>
<p>
Isn't that just like boys?&nbsp; All-in with the fight, and then totally over it when
it's over.
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=0c993a67-b858-4f28-84ad-e0b98f79b934" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,0c993a67-b858-4f28-84ad-e0b98f79b934.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitness;Personalhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=809450d8-cb52-4fa5-938d-6f902248152ehttp://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,809450d8-cb52-4fa5-938d-6f902248152e.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,809450d8-cb52-4fa5-938d-6f902248152e.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=809450d8-cb52-4fa5-938d-6f902248152e8

So, I went to the allergist today. Three bouts with bronchitis in a row, plus
endless breathing problems before that, and I'm done. I don't care what it takes,
just break out those needles and FIX ME!!!

For those who don't know, they draw a huge grid on your back, and poke you with some
sharp peices of plastic containing concentrations of allergens.

You also get two controls: one is a non-reactive substance (I assume Saline
or something equivilent) and the other is Histamine, the chemical that is produced
by the body's attack on the allergins, and which causes the allergy symptoms.

My reaction to the non-reactant control was the expected - and my reaction to
the Histamine was the expected ++++

This gives you the range from no reaction (-) to the Histamine reaction (++++) (a
scale of 0-4, basically).

Here are my test results:
Mold Spores:

Paper Birch ++++
Short Ragweed ++++ Alternaria -

Boxelder/Maple Mix ++++
Giant Ragweed ++++ Cladosporium +

Mulberry ++++ Marshelder ++++ Epicoccum +

Red Oak ++++ Sagebrush
Mix ++++ Helminthosporium +

White Ash ++++
Russian Thistle ++++ Aspergillus
fumigatus +

Shagbark Hickory ++++
Careless - Pigweed ++++ Pullularia
+

American Elm ++++ Fusarium +

Kentucky Blue Grass ++++ Penicillium +

Timothy Grass ++++ Phoma +

Dustmite (D. Farinae) - Rhizopus ++

Dustmite (D. Pteronyssinus) +++

Cat ++++

Dog +++

Cockroach -

My allergist, who seems to have a gift for understatment, said "You are a candidate
for shots."

No wonder I have been having a hard time running. I'm allergic to the whole
darned out-of-doors! (And the in-of-doors too!)

One up-note...my peak-flow reading in the middle of an asthma attack was 490...a good
score for a normal, healthy adult woman.

Another up-note is that I CAN get shots, and don't have to sell the dog and buy pet
cockroaches. LOL! Although those Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are pretty
cool.

Immunityhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,809450d8-cb52-4fa5-938d-6f902248152e.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Immunity.aspx
Sun, 06 May 2007 02:38:58 GMT<p>
So, I went to the allergist today.&nbsp; Three bouts with bronchitis in a row, plus
endless breathing problems before that, and I'm done.&nbsp; I don't care what it takes,
just break out those needles and FIX ME!!!
</p>
<p>
For those who don't know, they draw a huge grid on your back, and poke you with some
sharp peices of plastic containing concentrations of allergens.
</p>
<p>
You also get two controls:&nbsp; one is a non-reactive substance (I assume Saline
or something equivilent) and the other is&nbsp;Histamine, the chemical that is produced
by the body's attack on&nbsp;the allergins, and which causes the allergy symptoms.
</p>
<p>
My reaction to the non-reactant control was the expected&nbsp;- and my reaction to
the Histamine was the expected ++++
</p>
<p>
This gives you the range from no reaction (-) to the Histamine reaction (++++) (a
scale of 0-4, basically).
</p>
<p>
Here are my test results:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Mold Spores:
</p>
<p>
Paper Birch&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;++++&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Short Ragweed&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;++++&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Alternaria&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-
</p>
<p>
Boxelder/Maple Mix&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;++++&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Giant Ragweed&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;++++&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cladosporium&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;+
</p>
<p>
Mulberry&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;++++&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Marshelder&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;++++&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Epicoccum&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;+
</p>
<p>
Red Oak&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;++++&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Sagebrush
Mix&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;++++&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Helminthosporium&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;+
</p>
<p>
White Ash&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;++++&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Russian Thistle&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;++++&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Aspergillus
fumigatus&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;+
</p>
<p>
Shagbark Hickory&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;++++&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
Careless - Pigweed&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;++++&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pullularia&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
+
</p>
<p>
American Elm&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;++++&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Fusarium&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;+
</p>
<p>
Kentucky Blue Grass&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;++++&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Penicillium&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;+
</p>
<p>
Timothy Grass&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;++++&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Phoma&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;+
</p>
<p>
Dustmite (D. Farinae)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Rhizopus&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;++
</p>
<p>
Dustmite (D. Pteronyssinus)&nbsp;&nbsp; +++
</p>
<p>
Cat&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;++++
</p>
<p>
Dog&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;+++
</p>
<p>
Cockroach&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;-
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;
</p>
<p>
My allergist, who seems to have a gift for understatment, said "You are a candidate
for shots."&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
</p>
<p>
No wonder I have been having a hard time running.&nbsp; I'm allergic to the whole
darned out-of-doors!&nbsp; (And the in-of-doors too!)
</p>
<p>
One up-note...my peak-flow reading in the middle of an asthma attack was 490...a good
score for a normal, healthy adult woman.
</p>
<p>
Another up-note is that I CAN get shots, and don't have to sell the dog and buy pet
cockroaches.&nbsp; LOL!&nbsp; Although those Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are pretty
cool.
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=809450d8-cb52-4fa5-938d-6f902248152e" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,809450d8-cb52-4fa5-938d-6f902248152e.aspxGeneral Health;Kung Fu/Running/Fitness;Personal;Ugh.http://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=d7a00757-78b6-4e61-b656-3609efba1563http://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,d7a00757-78b6-4e61-b656-3609efba1563.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,d7a00757-78b6-4e61-b656-3609efba1563.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=d7a00757-78b6-4e61-b656-3609efba15634

Sparring with REALLY strong guy yesterday. He was acquiring some new skills
that involved finesse. Acquiring new skills often means a temporary decrease
in control and focus expressed in the older skills.

As the swelling goes down,the bruises are beginning to appear.

When will the hurting stop?http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,d7a00757-78b6-4e61-b656-3609efba1563.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/When+Will+The+Hurting+Stop.aspx
Sun, 04 Mar 2007 16:05:40 GMT<p>
Sparring with REALLY strong guy yesterday.&nbsp; He was acquiring some new skills
that involved finesse.&nbsp; Acquiring new skills often means a temporary decrease
in control and focus expressed in the older skills.
</p>
<p>
As the swelling goes down,the bruises are beginning to appear.
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=d7a00757-78b6-4e61-b656-3609efba1563" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,d7a00757-78b6-4e61-b656-3609efba1563.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitnesshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=77bf4b3d-4348-451f-bf35-d48f5d0d507bhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,77bf4b3d-4348-451f-bf35-d48f5d0d507b.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,77bf4b3d-4348-451f-bf35-d48f5d0d507b.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=77bf4b3d-4348-451f-bf35-d48f5d0d507b4

Today was the last day of the
term for my Wednesday class.I am always
sad to see the end of our six-week terms.Mostly
because in the past, there has been a two-month –long hiatus, and in the mean-time
my families get busy with other stuff and don’t come back.

(For those of you who don’t
know, I teach two Kung Fu classes for special needs kids.I
told my SiFu a while ago that this was one of my goals, so he found some classes for
me to teach.)

This time, there is only one
month between terms, and they handed out registration forms right in the class.All
of the parents swore they would be back.I’ve
heard that before.In all this time,
I’ve only had one family return…but hopefully we will keep the terms going back-to-back
in the future and get better retention.

I’ve got to tell
you about one of the kids, though.I’ll
call him Sport.He walked in the very
first day, chest puffed out, head up, looking around the room as he crossed it with
a confident stride.

“I’m going to like this class.I’m
going to be really good at it.I can
tell.This is going to be great.”

Sport started and ended every
one of the six classes we had with that attitude.Shouting
“Look at me, I’m doing this really good!”When
I have them do a stretch, and tell them where they should feel it, Sport always declares
“I feel it!I’m feeling the stretch!”So
excited.

Sport has serious problems with
balance, and his muscles are as tight as a tow strap trying to pull a Hummer up a
hill out of a foot of clay mud.

His greatest asset is his attitude,
which never seems to tire or disappear.He
shows up on time, every week, striding confidently into the room, squinting through
his glasses with the one eye that isn’t covered with an eye patch, 1000-kilowat grin
on his face, and a story about whatever great exploit he accomplished today.

Today I presented him with his
certificate of achievement and a little medal on a red-white-and-blue ribbon.He
put it around his neck, grabbed his dad by the hand and said “I’m going to wear this
to bed tonight.” As he walked out the door.

I wonder if he’ll come back,
I wonder if I was able to help him at all in the six short weeks I had with him.

Whatever the outcome for me,
I imagine Sport will have few problems ahead in life despite his difficulties.I
have a feeling that even if he doesn’t walk back through that door, I’m going to be
hearing about him again.

"Sport"http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,77bf4b3d-4348-451f-bf35-d48f5d0d507b.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Sport.aspx
Thu, 01 Mar 2007 03:57:56 GMT<p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Today was the last day of the term
for my Wednesday class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I am always sad
to see the end of our six-week terms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Mostly
because in the past, there has been a two-month –long hiatus, and in the mean-time
my families get busy with other stuff and don’t come back.</font>
</p>
<p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>(For those of you who don’t know,
I teach two Kung Fu classes for special needs kids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
told my SiFu a while ago that this was one of my goals, so he found some classes for
me to teach.)</font>
</p>
<p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>This time, there is only one month
between terms, and they handed out registration forms right in the class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>All
of the parents swore they would be back.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I’ve
heard that before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>In all this time,
I’ve only had one family return…but hopefully we will keep the terms going back-to-back
in the future and get better retention.</font>
</p>
<p>
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman">I’ve got to tell you
about one of the kids, though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I’ll call
him Sport.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>He walked in the very first
day, chest puffed out, head up, looking around the room as he crossed it with a confident
stride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span></font></font></font>
</p>
<p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>“I’m going to like this class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I’m
going to be really good at it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I can
tell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>This is going to be great.”</font>
</p>
<p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Sport started and ended every one
of the six classes we had with that attitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Shouting
“Look at me, I’m doing this really good!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>When
I have them do a stretch, and tell them where they should feel it, Sport always declares
“I feel it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I’m feeling the stretch!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>So
excited.</font>
</p>
<p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Sport has serious problems with
balance, and his muscles are as tight as a tow strap trying to pull a Hummer up a
hill out of a foot of clay mud.</font>
</p>
<p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>His greatest asset is his attitude,
which never seems to tire or disappear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>He
shows up on time, every week, striding confidently into the room, squinting through
his glasses with the one eye that isn’t covered with an eye patch, 1000-kilowat grin
on his face, and a story about whatever great exploit he accomplished today.</font>
</p>
<p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Today I presented him with his certificate
of achievement and a little medal on a red-white-and-blue ribbon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>He
put it around his neck, grabbed his dad by the hand and said “I’m going to wear this
to bed tonight.” As he walked out the door.</font>
</p>
<p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>I wonder if he’ll come back, I wonder
if I was able to help him at all in the six short weeks I had with him.</font>
</p>
<p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Whatever the outcome for me, I imagine
Sport will have few problems ahead in life despite his difficulties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
have a feeling that even if he doesn’t walk back through that door, I’m going to be
hearing about him again.</font>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=77bf4b3d-4348-451f-bf35-d48f5d0d507b" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,77bf4b3d-4348-451f-bf35-d48f5d0d507b.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitnesshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=96b99575-fc48-496d-a1f8-6d93e514f7behttp://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,96b99575-fc48-496d-a1f8-6d93e514f7be.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,96b99575-fc48-496d-a1f8-6d93e514f7be.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=96b99575-fc48-496d-a1f8-6d93e514f7be10

I am twice deadly now! I passed the final portion of my second degree black
belt qualification.

I'm a 2nd degree black belt.

Sweet.

Oh! and I've joined the 21st century and got a cell phone. A present from
Rocky on our anniversary.

Alright, I'm going to go do some more painting on Grasshoppers bedroom walls.
Almost done. I'm painting two of his walls camoflage, which is a pita...but
that's what he wants.

After a few weeks of stress and family problems, and stress and home improvement woes,
and the good (but still stressful) stress of a long string of many out-of-town guests,
and the allergies (from the dust stirred up by home improvement) and the cold, and
the bronchitis...

...I returned to Kung Fu on Sunday. Of the three hours of intense training I
usually do, I made it almost 1 and 1/2.

My ab muscles feel like someone is taking a rake to them.

Today, all I managed to do was take the dog for a walk.

Somebody call the whahmbulance.

Regaining lost fitness levels is the suck.

When will the hurting stop?http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,005af350-7165-4c73-95f1-95d697c0d440.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/When+Will+The+Hurting+Stop.aspx
Mon, 22 Jan 2007 23:16:59 GMT<p>
After a few weeks of stress and family problems, and stress and home improvement woes,
and the good (but still stressful) stress of a long string of many out-of-town guests,
and the allergies (from the dust stirred up by home improvement) and the cold, and
the bronchitis...
</p>
<p>
...I returned to Kung Fu on Sunday.&nbsp; Of the three hours of intense training I
usually do, I made it almost 1 and 1/2.
</p>
<p>
My ab muscles feel like someone is taking a rake to them.
</p>
<p>
Today, all I managed to do was take the dog for a walk.
</p>
<p>
Somebody call the whahmbulance.
</p>
<p>
Regaining lost fitness levels is the suck.
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=005af350-7165-4c73-95f1-95d697c0d440" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,005af350-7165-4c73-95f1-95d697c0d440.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitnesshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=6f955385-b5dd-4750-b483-3791399497c2http://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,6f955385-b5dd-4750-b483-3791399497c2.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,6f955385-b5dd-4750-b483-3791399497c2.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=6f955385-b5dd-4750-b483-3791399497c25

Apparently, getting your head bounced off the floor a couple of times can cause you
to lose focus and have a hard time remembering your moves smoothly.

So. In two months, I will be able to take that portion of the test again, and
I will get my second degree Black belt! Yeay!

In the mean time, I'm going to go lay down on a heating pad. My neck is killing
me, and my head doesn't feel too good.

Avindair and Geekgoddess, thanks for inviting me to the birthday party.
I had a good time, and thanks for worrying about me, although as you can see, it was
unecessary.

Second Degree Black Belt Testhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,6f955385-b5dd-4750-b483-3791399497c2.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Second+Degree+Black+Belt+Test.aspx
Sun, 17 Dec 2006 04:59:03 GMT<p>
So, I passed everything except the Tai Chi portion of my second degree black belt
test.
</p>
<p>
Apparently, getting your head bounced off the floor a couple of times can cause you
to lose focus and have a hard time remembering your moves smoothly.
</p>
<p>
So.&nbsp; In two months, I will be able to take that portion of the test again, and
I will get my second degree Black belt!&nbsp; Yeay!
</p>
<p>
In the mean time, I'm going to go lay down on a heating pad.&nbsp; My neck is killing
me, and my head doesn't feel too good.
</p>
<p>
Avindair&nbsp;and Geekgoddess, thanks&nbsp;for inviting me to the birthday party.&nbsp;
I had a good time, and thanks for worrying about me, although as you can see, it was
unecessary.
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=6f955385-b5dd-4750-b483-3791399497c2" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,6f955385-b5dd-4750-b483-3791399497c2.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitness;Personalhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=e14af713-da82-4e26-b77f-8a4cc5d0d640http://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,e14af713-da82-4e26-b77f-8a4cc5d0d640.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,e14af713-da82-4e26-b77f-8a4cc5d0d640.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=e14af713-da82-4e26-b77f-8a4cc5d0d6403Fool me once...http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,e14af713-da82-4e26-b77f-8a4cc5d0d640.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Fool+Me+Once.aspx
Mon, 04 Dec 2006 16:10:15 GMT<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>EclecticsAnonymous has an article
about how politics and the politics of money, decisions of ethics, media coverage,
and the making of personal health decisions affect each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Needless
to say, he hits enough triggerpoints to start an all-out flame-war if he just had
a couple thousand readers.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Ben writes:</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN"><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman">Do
I think stem cell research is inherently unethical? No. The unethical part of the
discussion is the disingenuous arguments coming from the anti-choice, religious right
trying to claim that unused embryos created during in-vitro fertilization are the
moral equivalent of a 5 year old child. These people leave a slime trail.<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></span></i>
</p>
<p>
<font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><span lang=EN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN">On
the other hand, I have long since lost the ability to believe that scientific progress
is either good or inevitable</span></i><span lang=EN style="mso-ansi-language: EN"><font size=3>.<o:p></o:p>
</font></span></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>We have, on one hand, the morally
mangled far right who believe that every embryo has the right to be born and then
grow up starving, impoverished, uneducated, and surveyed closely by the government
with no privacy at all until it dies from lack of healthcare (but was hopefully a
productive worker who generates shareholder value for most of the time it was alive,
and certainly, we hope it didn’t have sex unless it managed to get married).</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>On the other hand, there are the
people promising imminent miracles from stem cells, listened to by desperately sick
people who want to believe anything (Many of whom, frankly, HAVE to believe that an
answer is coming soon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Look Michael J.
Fox in the eyes and shoot his puppy, I dare you.), and a public who believes that
scientific progress is like flipping a switch to get light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>You
put in money, and useful results flow out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>If
useful results don’t flow, then the science is “broken” and the money and time spent
is “wasted”. </font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>It’s clear from history that science
has lead down many dead ends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Most of
those dead ends didn’t look like dead ends at the time we studied them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Generally,
the study of science history emphasizes how each success lead to the next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>So
if we are not careful, we have this distorted perspective that leads us to think science
“succeeded” when it produces something we can see and hear and touch and feel, and
“failed” when it only produces information about what NOT to do in the future.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman">Ben also talks about
a story where Pfizer pulled a heart medication from clinical trials, costing them
truckloads of money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The news story declares
it a loss for heart patients as well as the company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Ben
points out that maybe heart patients would do well to pin their hopes on lifestyle
changes rather than medications, and that money is the root of what drives the medical
industry…not health.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>So people should
look to themselves first, and stop counting on a pill to come along that will solve
their problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Implied is the point
that we should never forget that we live in a society where the purpose of big money
is to make bigger money.<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>I agree.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>1) The purpose of corporations is
to make money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>When they do something
that costs them truckloads of money over an ethical issue (even one that is enforced
upon them that they would have to cheat to avoid) it is going to cause commentary
from the media.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>We really expect (as
a society) for corporations to do anything to make money.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman">I was just at a dinner
where a man was listening to someone describe the draconian and ethically questionable
changes made to his place of employment by a company that acquired them in a hostile
take-over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The guy listening said “I
just have one question, how soon can I buy the stock?”<o:p></o:p>
</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>2) A LOT of people abuse medication
to avoid doing the hard work of living a healthy life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
remember this delightful child that I used to babysit when I was a kid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
would pick up groceries on the way to his house and cook him good food while I was
there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Luckily, I babysat him a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>He
as a very picky eater but I was able to find some healthy options he would eat, and
managed to get him to expand his repertoire a little.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
was sad to hear, about ten years ago, that he was in my cousin’s boy scout troop.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Apparently,
he was a fat, hyperactive kid with bad skin whose mom sent him to boy scout camp with
a bottle of Ritalin pills, and a suitcase full of Ding-Dongs and cans of Mountain
Dew. </font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>3) Many people need medications
to help them augment their already healthy life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
have a friend whose diet and exercise regimen is excellent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Per
his doctor’s orders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>He follows it pretty
religiously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>He’s in pretty good shape
most of the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>If he is not very strict
with himself, he becomes over-weight very quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>But
no matter what his weight, his cholesterol is up around three hundred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Sometimes
even higher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>With medication, he is able
to get that last piece of his fitness puzzle to fit into place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Without
it, he would be in serious trouble.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman">Sociologically and personally,
prevention and modification of lifestyle for harm reduction is cheaper than medication.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Practically,
medication is desirable and necessary where those things are inadequate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span></font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>But while sick people are more costly
for society, they are more profitable for big Pharma (and it's investors).</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>And Big Pharma doesn’t have to do
ANYTHING to make it happen, beyond providing the product.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>People
just being people is enough.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>And hey,
some people would like to stop it, but at least as many are looking at their portfolios
and thinking of their retirement.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>So what can you do about it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Big-picture?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Alone?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Nothing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Not
a damned thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>This isn’t a marching-in-the-street
issue. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</span>This isn’t something that will
fit in a slogan or on a bumper sticker…or even allows for a lucid, well-structured
blog post (at least not one written in<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>construction
zone while trying to get the kids off to school and make sure the puppy doesn’t piddle
on the carpet).</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>This is the sort of issue where
the steps one through five are becoming informed, which is much, much harder than
it should be, but it gets easier over time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Step
six is making personal choices based on that information.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Choices
about lifestyle, investment, advocacy of public policy, voting, etc.) step seven is
informing others and eight through ten are repeat steps one through seven.</font>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=e14af713-da82-4e26-b77f-8a4cc5d0d640" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,e14af713-da82-4e26-b77f-8a4cc5d0d640.aspxeducation;Kung Fu/Running/Fitness;Philosophical;Political;science in the news;Those Wacky Fundieshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=ee5b7595-182a-4cd9-8402-d81a0b026afdhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,ee5b7595-182a-4cd9-8402-d81a0b026afd.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,ee5b7595-182a-4cd9-8402-d81a0b026afd.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=ee5b7595-182a-4cd9-8402-d81a0b026afdGoin' with the flowhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,ee5b7595-182a-4cd9-8402-d81a0b026afd.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Goin+With+The+Flow.aspx
Mon, 07 Aug 2006 04:07:58 GMT<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Today in sparring class SiFu spent
about ½ an hour working with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>½ speed,
just setting things up, taking shots and countering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I’d
throw something, and he would have me throw it again and again as he worked out counters
to it, and then he would throw something, and do it over and over again, making me
react differently every time.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>He made me step out of my comfort
zone, which is hard blocking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I like
to cover up and just take the full brunt on the technique with a leg or arm block,
and then power through with a counter-technique.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>We’ve worked on “sticky hands” type
stuff a lot, but it’s really not my style.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
can get it in drills and such, but when it comes to real-life applications, I tend
to revert to my tried-and-true bulldozer methods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Everyone
else seems to get it easier than me.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>For some reason, today the lesson
stuck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I went on to fight Joe, who we
call “little Joe”…to distinguish him from “Big Joe”.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Anyway, Joe and I were working out,
and after the second or third time I flowed with his block, and came around it and
tagged him, he said “Jeeze, you’ve got some serious Wing Chung workin’ for you.”</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>That made me feel good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
finally got a small taste of what it is like to “flow like water”, and be “soft as
cotton, hard as steele.”</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>The arm techniques are starting
to flow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Now all I need is to loosen
up the leg techniques a little bit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I’m
still indefatigably Okinawan with the kicks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>All
power and straight lines.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Who knows, my TaiChi might actually
start to look like Tai Chi, and less like I’m having a slow-mo epileptic seizure. </font>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=ee5b7595-182a-4cd9-8402-d81a0b026afd" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,ee5b7595-182a-4cd9-8402-d81a0b026afd.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitnesshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=9348c483-f807-49f7-a0a2-e3b388e6f13ahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,9348c483-f807-49f7-a0a2-e3b388e6f13a.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,9348c483-f807-49f7-a0a2-e3b388e6f13a.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=9348c483-f807-49f7-a0a2-e3b388e6f13a"How's Qigong going?" Part IV http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,9348c483-f807-49f7-a0a2-e3b388e6f13a.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Hows+Qigong+Going+Part+IV.aspx
Sat, 05 Aug 2006 17:07:24 GMT<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>I started doing Qigong because it
is part of Kung Fu training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It isn’t
required, but the more I learned about Kung Fu, the more I learned that historically,
serious practitioners have done Qigong.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Some of you may know, that there
are internal and external aspects to all martial arts training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Most
schools in the
<st1:place w:st="on">
<st1:country-region w:st="on">US</st1:country-region>
</st1:place>
have focused on the external aspects, building strength and speed, focusing impacts
– scoring points and breaking boards.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>There are ancillary internal pay-offs
described as confidence, focus, mental discipline, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Many
parents start their children in martial arts for these pay-offs, and there is little
doubt that people get those results from the training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The
external training has internal pay-offs</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Qigong is supposed to focus on these
“internal” aspects as the primary product of Qigong training, with ancillary external
results.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>If you have ever seen a Tai Chi
practitioner, you will know what I’m talking about when I refer to external results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>They
seem to flow like water, the coil and snap like a whip.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>They
seem very graceful and soft and fluid, but then there is that moment when you see
the end of one movement, just before it blurrs into another, and you realize how much
force was generated by that move, and how it was redirected into the next move, and
how only perfect balance makes it seems so effortless.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Well, maybe you do and maybe you
don’t.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I was sitting with one of my fellow
students at a competition a couple of years ago, watching this woman who comes to
almost all of the local competitions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>She
studies in
<st1:country-region w:st="on">
<st1:place w:st="on">China</st1:place>
</st1:country-region>
, though she lives here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>She is amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I’ve
learned enough Tai Chi to know how completely hopeless I am at it right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Some
day, I hope to have a tenth the skill this woman has.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>My friend and I were commenting
on the tremendous power that her technique had.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>“No she doesn’t”, said a lady next
to us, who I had seen as a judge at Diamond Nationals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>“She
doesn’t have any power at all.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>We could
hear the incredulity in her voice that we could say any such thing.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>My friend and I just looked at each
other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>WE saw it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It
was obvious to us, who had been working so hard to attain that skill of “flowing like
water”, and being “soft as cotton, hard as steel”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
myself was feeling somewhat discouraged…but now I felt better as I realized that at
least I had learned what it is supposed to LOOK like, and even got shadow sensations
in my muscles of what it would FEEL like when I finally did it correctly.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Coming from externally focused Karate
myself, I had just heard an echo of my own voice and biases from years ago, where
upper body strength, expelling breath noisily, and yelling were the ultimate ways
to project “power” and I realized how much I had actually learned.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>I remember that was the beginning
of my break-through with tornado kicks…the moment that I knew what it would feel like
to do a correct tornado kick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>After months
of fruitless practice, I finally had fruitful practice, and my progress (though not
instantaneous) was encouraging.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Anyway, Qigong is supposed to help
you develop that internal sense of the flow of “chi” (energy, power, life) through
the body, and help you express it in not only your martial arts, but in your relationships,
and personal life. </font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>As I’ve mentioned before, it’s supposed
to make you softer, gentler, more generous, more open and more forgiving, yet also
more untouchable by the “slings and arrows” of everyday life, stronger, more resilient.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The
internal achievements manifest in external movements that are softer, more flowing,
and yet more powerful.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>So, what have I actually seen as
a result of two months of Qigong practice?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Well,
not a lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>But it HAS been only two months.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>I DO think I’m somewhat more patient
and focused (some days are better than others).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I’ve
noticed that my work-outs generally seem to be easier, and I accomplish more.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>I’ve broken a plateau in my flexibility
work (although anyone can tell you that once you’ve been doing flexibility work for
a few years, gains are very, very small.)</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>I carry a lot less tension in my
shoulders, neck, and mid-back and the absolute inflexibility of my hips and lower
back region shows signs of releasing.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>My shoulder pain has almost completely
disappeared, although knee and hip pain has remained unaffected, and is actually worse
some days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>This is most likely due to
some new exercises that SiFu has added to our regimen.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>I don’t exactly sleep better, (I
still wake up frequently at night, and I still have trouble falling asleep) but I
feel less tired for all that.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Finally, I think I’ve mentioned
that I’ve done some “healing” meditations for other people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>This
is done in the Sitting meditation “Self-concentration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>You
visualize “chi” moving through you from the universe at large, and into the person
you want to heal.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Do I think it “works”?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Nope.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Not
as such anyway, but like I mentioned before, I don’t think it actually helps someone
when I say “I hope everything works out” or “Get well soon” or when I “Think good
thoughts” about them during a job interview or a surgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>But
I do it anyway, because it is a human thing to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>We
can’t stop ourselves from fruitlessly wishing others well, or “hoping for the best”
despite its ineffectiveness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It is good
for us to do so, and I stand by that.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Coincidentally, two out of the three
people I did meditations for reported improvements in their conditions and/or flawless
recoveries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Kudos to the trained staff
of medical professionals who worked tirelessly and skillfully for their benefit.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>The third person reported no change
for better or for worse.</font>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=9348c483-f807-49f7-a0a2-e3b388e6f13a" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,9348c483-f807-49f7-a0a2-e3b388e6f13a.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitness;Personal;Philosophicalhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=f3358b51-372c-447c-a13a-512447da32abhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,f3358b51-372c-447c-a13a-512447da32ab.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,f3358b51-372c-447c-a13a-512447da32ab.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=f3358b51-372c-447c-a13a-512447da32ab"How's Qigong going?" Part IIIhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,f3358b51-372c-447c-a13a-512447da32ab.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Hows+Qigong+Going+Part+III.aspx
Sat, 05 Aug 2006 04:48:52 GMT<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Today I am going to talk a little
about sitting meditations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I want to
remind everyone that I’ve only been doing this for a couple of months, so I really
don’t know what I’m talking about, and shouldn’t be viewed as an expert by any means.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Also,
remember that I’m very skeptical of the results some people claim for Qigong, and
VERY skeptical of the mystical explanations for the results one gets, while still
believing that it is a useful discipline.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>So some of my explanations are going
to be very unorthodox.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>They are also
very incomplete.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>You can’t do Qigong
by reading what I say and trying it yourself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>You
should find a teacher.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>I have learned to do two sitting
meditations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>One is called “Small Universe”,
where you visualize “Chi” moving into your body with your breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It
requires a lot of focus and concentration, but also relaxing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It
is quite demanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>After I do it, I
feel very energetic, but also rested.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Like
after a good nights sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The rhythm
of the breathing is dictated by a chant, which I currently have on CD.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>For
all meditations, both active and sitting, there is a special method for breathing
called “reverse breathing”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Some people
would call it “breathing from the diaphragm”.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>This is the first Qigong sitting
meditation I ever did</font><a href="http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,1a8cc1ed-6c6c-4b14-8ea1-22c12cf5a1e6.aspx"><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
had a very strong reaction to it, which I told about in a previous entry.</font></a>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>What I didn’t mention in that entry
was that I had a panic attack right in the middle of the meditation (which I haven’t
done for years).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>My chest, throat, and
sinuses closed up. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</span>It was all I could
do to get any breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I thought my heart
was going to burst out of my chest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
felt overwhelming sadness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>My eyes watered
uncontrollably.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>When it all cleared up,
I got angry…or maybe it was the other way around.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>I had other physical sensations,
like my lower body going to sleep, but that is very consistent with sitting cross-legged
and unmoving on a floor for half an hour when you are not used to it.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Small Universe has gotten easier
and easier to do as time has gone on, and the meditations, while pleasant, tend to
not have a very strong effect anymore other than generally being energizing and centering.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>The other sitting meditation I do
is called “Self-Concentration”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>This
is where things get interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>You
are supposed to visualize your “chi” as a ball of energy that sits just behind and
below the navel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>You focus on that, and
breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>For a specific length of time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
usually go for half an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I have a
CD that has music made for this meditation, but it is not necessary.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font color=#000000><font size=3><font face="Times New Roman">This meditation is a
lot like sleeping, although you don’t really sleep, you just sort of become blank
consciousness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>During this time, it is
not unusual for me to “see” and “hear” things…much the way you do in a very vivid
dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>You know you’re not really hearing
it, and yet it is very vivid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span></font></font></font><a href="http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,a20bbaca-19bf-4f42-bad2-1b6591721876.aspx"><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>The
first time I did Self Concentration, it was lot like the first time I did Small Universe.</font></a>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>I’ve done quite a few since then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>None
of them have been quite that intense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>No
more tearing in the eyes, no more panic attack symptoms.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>I see a lot of bright and vibrant
colors with my eyes closed…a lot like the Northern Lights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Purple,
white yellow, orange, green, and red.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Mostly
purple and white.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Everyone sees colors
when they close their eyes, but the ones you see in meditation are much more intense
and bold.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>I’ve “seen” such things as familiar,
favorite places.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Felt the wind, the warmth
of the sun, smelled the grass and trees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
once had a meditation where I was looking at a room I’ve never been in through a prism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>That
was a weird feeling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I “heard” a woman
whisper “We don’t have to keep doing this to each other.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
once “heard” SiFu’s voice asking “Why do you always have to re-invent the wheel?”,
and mine answering “Because the wheel is broken.”</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman">When I recorded that
last one in my journal, I wrote “Fortune cookie anyone?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>That
is seriously inscrutable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span></font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Other visual images I’ve had in
meditation are:</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<ul style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=disc>
<li class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>A swarm of ants.</font>
<li class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />A
gust of wind bending a grove of trees and carrying
<st1:City w:st="on">
<st1:place w:st="on">Aspen</st1:place>
</st1:City>
leaves upward in a swirl of air.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>For
some reason, there was an old pump house near the grove of trees, but no other buildings
that I could see.&nbsp; It was a&nbsp;very desolate and painfully beautiful image.&nbsp;
Ang Lee would have been proud of it.</font>
<li class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>An image of a drowned woman’s face
underwater, accompanied by a feeling of peace, acceptance, and gratitude (Drowning
is a serious freak-button for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>This
should have squicked me right out).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Not
to mention that the image was seriously creepifying, though I didn’t have that response
to it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Didn’t seem to have any effect
on the every-day life issue of drowning squickiness, though.</font>
<li class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Once, an old person came and offered
me a huge box full of things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>There were
a lot of very valuable, precious, and shiny things in the box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
chose a small piece of tiger’s eye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Later,
three young men showed up and were goofing around near me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
got the impression that they should have bothered me greatly, as they were malicious,
destructive, and petty…and I got the impression they were trying to start something
with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>They didn’t bother me though.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
took minimal notice of them and they went away.</font>
<li class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Once I felt like the right side
of my body was shrinking, causing my spine to twist.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It
was very uncomfortable and freaky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
just kept concentrating, and it went away.</font>
</li>
</ul>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>I’ve had lots of images, sounds
and sensations in the meditations where I remember that I had them, but don’t remember
what they were…just like in dreams.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>So, you might be wondering, since
this stuff is so weird and a little creepy sometimes, and uncomfortable…why am I doing
it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>What do I get out of it?</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman">But that is a question
for another time, as it is nearly midnight, and tomorrow I have four hours of Kung
Fu and then a good night of partying (a friend of mine is having a house party) after
that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I went to help mix the margaritas
this evening, so I have some idea of the vast quantities of booze before me tomorrow
night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Must rest up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></font><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings">J</span></span><font face="Times New Roman"> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</span></font></font></font>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=f3358b51-372c-447c-a13a-512447da32ab" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,f3358b51-372c-447c-a13a-512447da32ab.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitness;Personalhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=65c3445a-1b6c-4939-b9a5-2860b6422243http://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,65c3445a-1b6c-4939-b9a5-2860b6422243.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,65c3445a-1b6c-4939-b9a5-2860b6422243.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=65c3445a-1b6c-4939-b9a5-2860b6422243"How's Qigong Going?" Part IIhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,65c3445a-1b6c-4939-b9a5-2860b6422243.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Hows+Qigong+Going+Part+II.aspx
Fri, 04 Aug 2006 14:55:23 GMT<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>One thing that makes Qigong different
from any other kind of meditation I’ve ever done, is the active component.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Qigong is often taught in conjunction
with Tai Chi because Tai Chi is also active meditation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The
Qigong active meditation exercises are very similar to Tai Chi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>They
are slow and focus on flow and balance through breathing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Sometimes,
you begin to feel as though your breath is causing the movements.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>The proper stances, balance, and
synchronization of your muscles and breath generate an amazing amount of power.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>And an amazing amount of heat and
sweat.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>I’m not kidding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The
amount of body heat I sometimes generate makes me think of the popular stories of
spontaneous combustion told to me by those weird kids who carried around magazines
dealing with cryptozoology and comic books about ghost ships from WWII haunting the
Bermuda Triangle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>(OK, I admit it, the
only reason I didn’t have those materials myself is because my mom would have burned
them).</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>I’m not a sweater.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>When
I got to the gym on non-running days and hit the elliptical, I usually do a calorie
burn of between 800 and 1100 calories in a 60 minute work-out and five-minute cool-down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
don’t usually break a noticeable sweat until about 40 minutes into the workout.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Twenty minutes of focused Qigong,
and I’m often getting running trickles of sweat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It’s
disgusting.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman">On days when my focus
is impaired for some reason, I generate little to no heat, and no sweat to speak of.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>This
is still most days for me, probably six out of ten.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Don’t
get me wrong, there is often SOMETHING happening, but not enough to write home about,
as they say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span></font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>As I understand it (I may be mistaken)
the mystical purpose of these exercises is to “open your energy channels” and remove
“energy blockages” from your body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>You
are supposed to “feel the energy” when you have been doing the exercises for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
have, indeed, felt an electrical tingle running up the sides of my fingers, through
my hands and arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>This is not the same
as the “Pins and needles” sensation you get from having your arms “go to sleep”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I’ve
also felt the “tingling” from hyperventilating. This is nothing like that, either.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It
is different, weird, and a little unsettling, but cool as hell.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
have been given reason to believe that eventually this effect will happen through
all the “energy channels” of the body.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Presumably,
I will then disappear in a flash of white light and leave behind only a faint whiff
of ozone, because I can’t imagine the heat that will generate.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Days where I have had an effective
active meditation are almost always characterized by a more relaxed attitude, loose
muscles, easy stretches, increased appetite, and effortless workouts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I’ve
had a couple of days, though, where the opposite happened:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
was wiped out, cranky, had unexplained stiffness and pain, nothing tasted right, and
I just wanted to lay down in a dark room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Whatever
the results, they are quite dramatic.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>My impression is that the concentration
and repetitive movements have a self-hypnotic effect that can make you very susceptible
to suggestion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Therefore, it would be
rather important that the concentration be focused on how the joints are warming and
loosening, how the pain is fading and how relaxed and happy you are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Intrusion
of negative thoughts, or the inadvertent focus on an ache or pain or unpleasant memory
might account for any back-fires.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Indeed,
the beginning of the active part of the meditation is a series of positive affirmations
to get you in the correct state of mind.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Right now, the active component
is the biggest barrier I have to practicing every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
still miss about five days out of the month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I’m
not sure which is more daunting, the idea of spending half-an-hour to forty minutes
doing something that has little or no results, or the incredibly powerful results
I sometimes get.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Some days I just can’t
face the thought of either one first thing in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Some
days I just want my coffee and my e-mail.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Today happens to be one of those
days.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Tomorrow, I’ll discuss the “Sitting
meditations”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>That involves some pretty
freaky stuff, so you don’t want to miss it.</font>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=65c3445a-1b6c-4939-b9a5-2860b6422243" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,65c3445a-1b6c-4939-b9a5-2860b6422243.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitness;Personal;Philosophicalhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=4a742401-a688-47fd-9b9d-9eac36c97159http://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,4a742401-a688-47fd-9b9d-9eac36c97159.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,4a742401-a688-47fd-9b9d-9eac36c97159.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=4a742401-a688-47fd-9b9d-9eac36c97159"How's Qigong going?" Part Ihttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,4a742401-a688-47fd-9b9d-9eac36c97159.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Hows+Qigong+Going+Part+I.aspx
Fri, 04 Aug 2006 04:07:06 GMT<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>The
other day, my friend <a href="http://www.conradzero.com/blog.html">Conrad Zero </a>&nbsp;asked
a loaded question:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>“How’s Qigong going?”</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I
said, “It’s complicated.”</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>My
friend and fellow Kung Fu-er, Blake, who understands my aversion to mystical frufery,
chimed in something along the lines of:</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>“Yeah,
are you getting all your channels cleared out, and those blockages eliminated?”</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I
said, “Shut Up.”</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>See,
I really believe that there is something to the whole Qigong thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I’m
with Han Solo in believing that “There’s no mystical energy field that controls MY
destiny.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>On the other hand, though I’ve
not “flown from one end of the galaxy to the other”…I HAVE seen some “strange stuff”…so
I’m willing to give most things a chance.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />I
DO believe that the mind can cure any problem the mind creates or can improve any
condition it contributes to, and that seems to be a
<st1:place w:st="on">LOT</st1:place>
of stuff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I think that time spent focusing,
and disciplining the mind, listening to your subconscious, taking time to listen to
your intuition and reconnect to your senses is useful and important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Certainly,
the active meditation exercises contribute to flexibility, physical relaxation, and
coordination much the way that yoga does.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>So,
yeah, I think Qigong can lower your blood pressure, mitigate your anxiety disorder,
or reduce your dependence on an inhaler for stress-induced asthma. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</span>It’s
not beyond my imagining that it can help with sleep disorders or stress disorders,
or ADD or any one of a number of other conditions.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>After
all, I was trained in bio-feedback at our local hospital to control panic attacks,
and Qigong is no that different.&nbsp; It just uses different language to describe
what's going on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I used those techniques
to lower my heart rate, lower my blood pressure, manage panic attacks, and strangely
enough, a chronic skin disorder that I’d had for ten years cleared up during that
time (No kidding, the Dermatologist called it a “stress rash”.) </font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Do
I think it can cure infections, or fix a faulty heart valve, or cure a brain tumor?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Do
I think I’ll gain super natural powers?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Nope.&nbsp;
I don't want 'em.&nbsp; I've got enough power right here in this ordinary human sack
of skin&nbsp;as it is, thank you.&nbsp; I'll find it a triumph of a worthy life just
to learn to master what I have effectivly and ethically.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Do
I think I’ll be able to heal other people?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Not
really.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I
do the healing meditations though because I think that it is a natural and healthy
human function to spend time thinking about others, wishing them well, and dedicating
our thoughts to their well-being.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Do
I really think that if I do a healing meditation for another human being that they
will directly benefit from “energy” beaming from the universe, through me, to them?</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I
have no reason to believe that, any more than I have any reason to believe that it
is helpful for me to “wish someone well” or say “sorry to hear that” when I hear of
someone else’s misfortune.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>It
might do them no good, but I do it anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Why?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Because
I’m human and not a socio-path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>For me
to wish someone ill does them no harm, but it is bad for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>To
wish someone well does them no good, but it is a good thing in and of itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It
exercises the part of you that can reach beyond yourself and invest in something other
than yourself even when it doesn’t directly affect you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>In
short, the part that makes us social creatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The
part that makes us capable of altruism, or at least enlightened self-interest.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>To
spend an hour focused on wishing another well, to invest time and energy and focus
on their well-being exercises that part of my nature, and grows it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Does
it mean they will be healed or get better as a result?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Probably
not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>But what it might possibly do is
put me into deeper contact with my natural human ability to appreciate another’s condition,
to connect with them in such a way that I see opportunities to actually help them
that I would normally miss while wrapped up in my own head and my own world.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>The
teachings of Qigong are to cultivate an open, generous, forgiving and giving nature.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>They
teach a soft, focused, loving approach to life, and produce a strong, relaxed, resilient
physical existence.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>The
language of Qigong is mystical, but I don’t believe that it’s results are “mystical”
at all….so I use the mystical terminology, and I say things using that mystical, metaphorical
language – because that’s what is there to work with.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Much
of the discipline of Qigong is representational.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>You
visualize things, make mental representations of them, and then use your mind to manipulate
those representations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>This is a valuable
skill that many people just simply don’t have naturally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Developing
it can help with abstract reasoning across the board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Ask
any Martial Artist who has “practiced” their martial art mentally while injured.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>They
can sit in a chair and “do” the forms in their head, and then go back and perform
those forms flawlessly after their recovery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Many
athletes “picture” themselves doing the techniques of their sport perfectly in order
to mentally pattern themselves for the real thing.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Yes,
it’s sold as a kind of sympathetic “magic” through the power of some universal “force”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Well,
if that’s how you talk about it, then that’s how you talk about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The
language to me is representational and poetic, not mystical.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>So
yeah, I do Qigong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I do it because I
believe it is good for me, and I find it personally useful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Do
I think there is anything “mystical” about it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>No.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>But
that doesn’t mean some freaky weird shit doesn’t go down during the meditations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Which,
should surprise no-one when you realize that you are opening up the big can of worms
that is the human mind, which is housed inside a human brain, which is connected to
a human body…all of which have been evolving endlessly through a constant fight for
survival, and to which each generation adds it’s own small amount of baggage.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>No
big revelation there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>We make meaning
in very, very complex ways, and some of them we may never understand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>And
venturing into that jungle isn’t for the faint of heart, but there’s no reason to
believe that there’s anyone or anything in there but what we bring ourselves.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>But
I realize that I’ve gone off on a tear, and haven’t actually addressed Conrad Zero’s
question.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>So I’ll have to do that tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Until
then, I’m off to help with the kid’s Kung Fu class.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=4a742401-a688-47fd-9b9d-9eac36c97159" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,4a742401-a688-47fd-9b9d-9eac36c97159.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitness;Personal;Philosophicalhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=faeb4b32-b43c-4139-8eb1-be60fbbc833bhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,faeb4b32-b43c-4139-8eb1-be60fbbc833b.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,faeb4b32-b43c-4139-8eb1-be60fbbc833b.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=faeb4b32-b43c-4139-8eb1-be60fbbc833b

Today
is a running day...haven't made it out yet...will probably go tonight after Kung Fu.

Tuesday
SUCKED. 77 degrees SHOULD have felt cool, but the humidity was such that apparently
human body temperature was below the dew point. Between the condensation,
sweat, and drizzle, I was soaked. Like coming out of showering in your
clothes, but without the freshness. ugh. Plus, I made it almost all the
way around Staring Lake, and decided to take the ski-trail to add on a little distance.
When the ski trail rejoined the bike path, I took the wrong turn, and went back the
way I had come, so my 3-mile run turned out to be somewhere around five miles.

It
was like running five miles in a tepid steam room five miles long, with people spitting
on you the whole way.

Except
that analogy doesn't really encompass the mosquitos that came out in clouds whenever
the drizzle let up.

The
one good thing was that I'd taken the kids to the pool, so when I got back, I got
to stretch out in hot, humid air...which made for a very effective stretch.
NO soreness.

Running is FUNhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,faeb4b32-b43c-4139-8eb1-be60fbbc833b.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Running+Is+FUN.aspx
Thu, 03 Aug 2006 21:28:29 GMT<div dir=ltr align=left><span class=919365117-03082006><font face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></font></span>&nbsp;
</div>
<div dir=ltr align=left><span class=919365117-03082006><font face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Today
is a running day...haven't made it out yet...will probably go tonight after Kung Fu.</font></span>
</div>
<div dir=ltr align=left><span class=919365117-03082006><font face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></font></span>&nbsp;
</div>
<div dir=ltr align=left><span class=919365117-03082006><font face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>Tuesday
SUCKED.&nbsp; 77 degrees SHOULD have felt cool, but the humidity was such that apparently
human body temperature was below the dew point.&nbsp;&nbsp;Between the&nbsp;condensation,
sweat, and drizzle, I&nbsp;was soaked.&nbsp; Like coming out of showering in your
clothes, but without the freshness.&nbsp; ugh.&nbsp; Plus, I made it almost all the
way around Staring Lake, and decided to take the ski-trail to add on a little distance.&nbsp;
When the ski trail rejoined the bike path, I took the wrong turn, and went back the
way I had come, so my 3-mile run turned out to&nbsp;be somewhere around five miles.</font></span>
</div>
<div dir=ltr align=left><span class=919365117-03082006><font face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></font></span>&nbsp;
</div>
<div dir=ltr align=left><span class=919365117-03082006><font face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>It
was like running five miles in a tepid&nbsp;steam room five miles long, with people&nbsp;spitting
on you the whole way.</font></span>
</div>
<div dir=ltr align=left><span class=919365117-03082006><font face=Arial color=#0000ff></font></span>&nbsp;
</div>
<div dir=ltr align=left><span class=919365117-03082006><font face=Arial color=#0000ff>Except
that analogy doesn't really encompass the mosquitos that came out in clouds whenever
the drizzle let up.</font></span>
</div>
<div dir=ltr align=left><span class=919365117-03082006></span>&nbsp;
</div>
<div dir=ltr align=left><span class=919365117-03082006><font face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2>The
one good thing was that I'd taken the kids to the pool, so when I got back, I got
to stretch out in hot, humid air...which made for a very effective stretch.&nbsp;
NO soreness.</font></span>
</div>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=faeb4b32-b43c-4139-8eb1-be60fbbc833b" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,faeb4b32-b43c-4139-8eb1-be60fbbc833b.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitness;Personalhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=5ae0fad7-4bb9-4019-ab34-7c04cc8510eehttp://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,5ae0fad7-4bb9-4019-ab34-7c04cc8510ee.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,5ae0fad7-4bb9-4019-ab34-7c04cc8510ee.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=5ae0fad7-4bb9-4019-ab34-7c04cc8510ee8

I burned 1,011 calories on the elliptical jogger today 65 minutes...went a little
over seven miles.

Then I came home and did a little cleaning, made dinner, and scooted off to Yoga.

Endorphins are good.

Feel the burn.http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,5ae0fad7-4bb9-4019-ab34-7c04cc8510ee.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Feel+The+Burn.aspx
Tue, 27 Jun 2006 02:30:34 GMT<p>
I burned 1,011 calories on the elliptical jogger today&nbsp; 65 minutes...went a little
over seven miles.
</p>
<p>
Then I came home and did a little cleaning, made dinner, and scooted off to Yoga.
</p>
<p>
Endorphins are good.
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=5ae0fad7-4bb9-4019-ab34-7c04cc8510ee" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,5ae0fad7-4bb9-4019-ab34-7c04cc8510ee.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitnesshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=d6f29a85-62f5-4391-9435-3744a82263eahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,d6f29a85-62f5-4391-9435-3744a82263ea.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,d6f29a85-62f5-4391-9435-3744a82263ea.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=d6f29a85-62f5-4391-9435-3744a82263ea2Yep, Yoga is Evilhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,d6f29a85-62f5-4391-9435-3744a82263ea.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Yep+Yoga+Is+Evil.aspx
Thu, 22 Jun 2006 02:37:57 GMT<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Via the </font><a href="http://www.agapepress.org/"><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>Agape
Press</font></a><font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />,
I find out about Pastor Hubbard, of the Evangelical Free Church in
<st1:place w:st="on">
<st1:City w:st="on">Smith County</st1:City>
,
<st1:State w:st="on">Kansas</st1:State>
</st1:place>
.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<a href="http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/6/212006b.asp"><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>He’s
worried that Hindus are moving in to his area to build temples and won’t admit that
their purpose is religious.</font></a>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman">He says they are being
dishonest when they say that one can do Yoga and transcendental meditation without
it being a religious practice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span></font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>I can see why he would think that
they could only make that claim dishonestly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It
is a common view of people like Pastor Hubbard that mankind has one inherent nature…brutal,
sinful, deceitful, thoughtless, and base.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Without
supernatural intervention, man cannot change that state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Any
attempts, successful or otherwise, to transcend the selfish and corrupt aspects of
the human condition, must then involve the super-natural.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>So if someone says that they can
teach skills and exercises and philosophy that will help others become better people,
then they must be proselytizing a religion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>If
they insist that they are not proselytizing a religion, then they must be lying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It
is the self-loathing and rigid thinking of the fundamentalists that make them unable
to explain the behavior of the Transcendentalists as anything but deceit.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>And why shouldn’t Pastor Hubbard
suspect that the people in question are lying?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>After
all, many a Christian missionary has gone to
<st1:country-region w:st="on">
<st1:place w:st="on">China</st1:place>
</st1:country-region>
to “just teach English”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I think its
common human nature to suspect others of the duplicity that we practice ourselves.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>But I don’t think the Transcendentalists
are lying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>They might well all be Hindus
themselves, but they are correct in saying that a person can learn meditation and
Yoga and benefit from the discipline, exercise, and contemplation regardless of what
they believe or disbelieve.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The Hindus
would have no reason to actively “convert” those they teach.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Some
might convert, but that would not be the goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The
goal would be to help their fellow human beings be healthier, calmer, and more free
from suffering; thus increasing the peace and tranquility of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Don’t
forget…Eastern religions play the long game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>What
do they care if you meditate on the name of Jehovah, or Shiva, or The Flying Spaghetti
Monster?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>What matters is that you meditate,
and become better able to bear your burdens, help bear the burdens of others, and
refrain from adding to the burdens of yourself and others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>If
you don’t find Nirvana in this life, you’ll come around in the next, or the next.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>They
are not trying to convert. </font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Many Eastern philosophies and health
practices are interwoven with the various religious beliefs found in the East.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Just
because Christians developed the philosophy of the Enlightenment and the Rights of
man, it doesn’t mean that one must be a Christian in order to embrace modern Democracy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Similarly,
just because Hindus invented Yoga, it doesn’t mean that one must become a Hindu to
successfully stretch one’s muscles and relax one’s mind by performing “The Sun Salute”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>If
saying the Rosary was a physical work-out with widely acknowledged health benefits
akin to those attributed to Yoga, I’m sure you could find an atheist or two doing
it on the advice of their doctor, and it would be as likely to convert them to Catholicism
as doing yoga is to convert you to Hinduism.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>But back to Pastor Hubbard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>He’s
a true American Christian, at least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>He
acknowledges that the Hindus have a right to their religion, and to own their property
and use it for any legal purpose they desire.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>But
he is going to preach against them, and their teachings and their work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Because
he judges them and their actions by his own limited understanding that he is too afraid
to expand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>So he will preach love from
a foundation of ignorance, fear and hate.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>What’s that Pastor Hubbard?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It’s
NOT hate?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Really?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>How
do you explain that?</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font color=#000000><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </font></span><span style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">While
he does not hate these people, Hubbard says he and other townspeople are opposed to
their teachings. "It could be any one of a number of divergent religious groups and
we would still have the same problem," he explains.</span></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Oh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It
all makes sense now!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It’s not discrimination
if you hate and oppose the practices of all non-Christians equally.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Silly
me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>How could I have misunderstood that?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Well
then, you just go on preaching against the new people and their practices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Also,
if I were you, I’d make sure that any member of your church who associates with them,
or goes to any of their classes gets disciplined, like being shunned, or kicked out
of the church or censured, or called out about it from the pulpit on Sunday morning.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>After all, you wouldn’t want them
to learn anything that might help them develop self-control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
mean, then what would they need YOU for?</font>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=d6f29a85-62f5-4391-9435-3744a82263ea" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,d6f29a85-62f5-4391-9435-3744a82263ea.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitness;Those Wacky Fundieshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=4ba05b01-860d-451b-8e3e-f0a1dbd050c7http://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,4ba05b01-860d-451b-8e3e-f0a1dbd050c7.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,4ba05b01-860d-451b-8e3e-f0a1dbd050c7.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=4ba05b01-860d-451b-8e3e-f0a1dbd050c7

I guess I'm going to keep my special needs Kung Fu class.

SiFu just send me an e-mail that says the progam I am teaching
for has gotten "Rave reviews" from the parents, and the parents who commented want
to be sure I come back to the program in the fall.

That is so cool. I just love working with those kids,
and their parents are THE BEST. The parents have an excellent and healthy approach
to learning and progress. They are very good advocates for their kids, and let
me know what their kids need in order to do their best.

Also, the education specialist that I am teaching the class
with has been the greatest. Her name is Kelly, and she just rocks.

I have enjoyed teaching that class more than any other class.

It's easy to work with good material.

They like me! They really like me!http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,4ba05b01-860d-451b-8e3e-f0a1dbd050c7.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/They+Like+Me+They+Really+Like+Me.aspx
Fri, 16 Jun 2006 19:26:29 GMT<p>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I guess I'm going to keep my special needs Kung Fu class.
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; SiFu just send me an e-mail that says the progam I am teaching
for has gotten "Rave reviews" from the parents, and the parents who commented want
to be sure I come back to the program in the fall.
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; That is so cool.&nbsp; I just love working with those kids,
and their parents are THE BEST.&nbsp; The parents have an excellent and healthy approach
to learning and progress.&nbsp; They are very good advocates for their kids, and let
me know what their kids need in order to do their best.
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Also, the education specialist that I am teaching the class
with has been the greatest.&nbsp; Her name is Kelly, and she just rocks.
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I have enjoyed teaching that class more than any other class.
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; It's easy to work with good material.
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=4ba05b01-860d-451b-8e3e-f0a1dbd050c7" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,4ba05b01-860d-451b-8e3e-f0a1dbd050c7.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitnesshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=6692140c-7840-4a06-b124-7ad25032cc7fhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,6692140c-7840-4a06-b124-7ad25032cc7f.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,6692140c-7840-4a06-b124-7ad25032cc7f.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=6692140c-7840-4a06-b124-7ad25032cc7fAnother evil thing Christians don't want you to do.http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,6692140c-7840-4a06-b124-7ad25032cc7f.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Another+Evil+Thing+Christians+Dont+Want+You+To+Do.aspx
Fri, 16 Jun 2006 14:23:24 GMT<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Oh
No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>You guys, I just found out that Yoga
is Evil!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Yep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span></font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>According
to more “Christians” than I can count right now, Yoga is an ancient form of meditation
whose movements are designed to put you in a self-hypnotic state and lead you directly
into the waiting clutches of a false God!</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Oops.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I’ve
got my husband doing this stuff!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Oh no!</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Here
are the best links I’ve found regarding the evilness of Yoga:</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </font></span><a href="http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/6/152006f.asp"><font size=3><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</span>“Author
wants to enlighten Christians about Yoga’s demonic influences”</font></font></a>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"><font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </font></span><a href="http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-yoga.html"><font face="Times New Roman" size=3>“What
is the Christian view of Yoga?”</font></a>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>And
here you thought it was just stretching, and mind-calming, mind-body connecting meditation.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>In
actuality, it wants to deliver you into the clutches of a false God – You!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Yep,
people who study Yoga eventually decide that they are God, and God is them.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>And
we wouldn’t want you to end up in charge of yourself, now would we?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>God
knows, you’re not the smartest person on the planet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>You
should only be allowed to make you own decisions when it is profitable for US companies
for you to do so (and it’s better yet if they&nbsp;are "free" to avoid&nbsp;giving
you relevant information).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Otherwise,
do what the preacher tells you, and for God’s sake, don’t do that “downward dog” pose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Can’t
you see how evil it is?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Evil I say.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>And
it’s false healing, because any benefit you get from Yoga, you did yourself, through
the self-hypnotic state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It didn’t come
from God.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>Self-hypnotic
states are evil.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>You shouldn’t trust
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>They don’t lead anywhere good.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Let
me give you and example:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />during
a brief resurgence of my Christian Fundamentalism in late High School, I attended
a faith healing service at one of the local pole-barn churches scattered on the outskirts
of
<st1:City w:st="on">
<st1:place w:st="on">Bemidji</st1:place>
</st1:City>
.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I wanted to be “healed” of my addiction
to tobacco.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>During
the service, I went forward, and was surrounded by praying Christians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>In
the course of the prayer session, I reached a place where I&nbsp;felt like&nbsp;I
was floating (I’d been doing “Christian meditation” during this time as well…a practice
that I now recognize as zen Buddhist meditation with the serial numbers filed off…so
I’d had some practice already with getting into a hypnotic state).</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I
came back to myself an indeterminate amount of time later, and was helped to my feet
by elated charismatics who informed me that I had been “slain in the spirit”, and
that my sins were all whiped out, and I was healed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
had a bruise on my right wrist, where it had struck the floor during my “fall” (some
of my fellow Christians had eased my transition from standing to prone, but my arm
flapped out and hit the floor)</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>On
the scale of weird, unexplainable shit, this was about a six out of ten, so I figured
they probably knew more about what they were talking about than I did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Sure
enough, I was filled with euphoria as I threw out my cigarettes and ZZ-top novelty
lighter (ZZ-top!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Good God).</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>And
I coasted through the next 24 or so hours without a single urge to smoke…until the
self-hypnosis buzz wore off and the residual nicotine left my body and the actual
withdrawal began.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I
was able to lay my hands on some Camel straights fairly easily (despite being under
18…it WAS
<st1:place w:st="on">
<st1:City w:st="on">Bemidji</st1:City>
</st1:place>
after all) but I never again was able to find a ZZ-top novelty lighter.&nbsp; Years
later, I quit for good.&nbsp; Know how?&nbsp; I took control of myself and my behavior.&nbsp;
I trusted my own judgement and abilities.&nbsp; I made a decision with my human mind.&nbsp;
I stuck to it with my human will.&nbsp; It was incredibly difficult, and I had to
fail a few times.&nbsp; But I stuck to it and&nbsp;it worked!&nbsp; It's a miracle!&nbsp;
Woo Hoo.&nbsp; But dang it, I could still light my candels with a ZZ-top novelty lighter,
if I had one, which I would if I hadn't gotten suckered by self hypnosis psudo-spiritual
bullshit.&nbsp; Evil, I say.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>So
you see, while self-hypnosis might be evil and ineffective, and may or may not be
anti-Christian, at least if you are doing yoga, you are already sitting down and nobody
need catch you.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Also, while you may be
opening yourself up for demonic influences, at least you’ll be able to tie your shoes
without having to find somewhere to sit, or prop your foot up…and that’s not nothing.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=6692140c-7840-4a06-b124-7ad25032cc7f" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,6692140c-7840-4a06-b124-7ad25032cc7f.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitness;Those Wacky Fundieshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=a20bbaca-19bf-4f42-bad2-1b6591721876http://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,a20bbaca-19bf-4f42-bad2-1b6591721876.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,a20bbaca-19bf-4f42-bad2-1b6591721876.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=a20bbaca-19bf-4f42-bad2-1b6591721876Still not too sure about qigonghttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,a20bbaca-19bf-4f42-bad2-1b6591721876.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Still+Not+Too+Sure+About+Qigong.aspx
Sun, 14 May 2006 05:28:20 GMT<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Ya know how when you have a fishbowl,
and you go for a while without cleaning it, all the stuff sinks to the bottom, and
you don’t really realize it’s there?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The
water LOOKS clear.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>The meditation I’ve been doing all
my life is the meditation that stills the waters and lets all the stuff sink to the
bottom, and the water looks clear.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Qigong is more like, turning on
the filter and stirring the water up.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Physically, mentally spiritually.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>This is completely not what I signed
up for, not what I expected, and not really what I wanted.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>All that old crap just get churned
up and cycled through. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</span>I hope my filter
is working.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Plus, there is numbness, tingling,
eye-watering and charley horses.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Somebody remind me why I’m doing
this again?</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Seriously.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Last time we did a meditation, I
cried, and beat the crap out of my wave bag.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
did it without gloves, because I needed to HIT something, and the gloves just wouldn’t
have done the job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It chewed up my knuckles.&nbsp;</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman">Tonight, tears streamed
down my face (wouldn’t call it crying, exactly), During the meditation, I found myself
in a place our family calls the Big Flat Rock.&nbsp; It is a dome of granet up north
on my grandparents farm...in the middle of the beef cow pasture.&nbsp; My grandparents
used to take us out there all the time for picnics.&nbsp; We would have a picnic,
and then they would build a fire and we would have s'mores.&nbsp; Anyway, I was on
the Big Flat Rock, and I was all alone.&nbsp; I was filled with intense, gripping,
paralzing loneliness and as sense of loss so intense I could hardly breath.&nbsp;
My sinuses were closed, my&nbsp;lungs tight, my throat closed.&nbsp; Then, one of
the garter snakes that lives under the rock (there's hundreds of them) came up to
me, and slithered right up into my hands.&nbsp; I held it, and it looked at me.&nbsp;
I remember seeing how its skin shone in the sunlight that was suddenly all around
us.&nbsp; Things cleared.&nbsp; I felt better, except I was aware of a pain in my
leg.&nbsp; It was unbearable, and I came out of the meditation about five minutes
early.&nbsp; Couldn't help it.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"></font></font></font>&nbsp;
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman">Then I&nbsp;came home
and scarffed a ton of pizza and ice cream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Weird.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Can
I blame that on qigong?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span></font></font></font>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=a20bbaca-19bf-4f42-bad2-1b6591721876" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,a20bbaca-19bf-4f42-bad2-1b6591721876.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitness;Personalhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=1a8cc1ed-6c6c-4b14-8ea1-22c12cf5a1e6http://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,1a8cc1ed-6c6c-4b14-8ea1-22c12cf5a1e6.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,1a8cc1ed-6c6c-4b14-8ea1-22c12cf5a1e6.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=1a8cc1ed-6c6c-4b14-8ea1-22c12cf5a1e64

Qigong kicked my ASS last night. As in hella kicked it. This is only the second lesson.
I could barely stand afterwards, and I couldn't feel my legs at all, they were completely
asleep. As in, dead from the waist down, except for the bottoms of my feet
which felt like they were levitating on a four-inch-thick layer of elecricity. Also, I
cried and I don't know why. But on the other hand, I felt completely stupid.
Stupid monkey.

Came home, felt the urge to work the heavy bag. I remembered some of the combinations
that Sensei taught me years ago. Over-did it a bit and brutalized my knuckles
and elbows some before I realized what I was doing. Then, I went to bed.
Slept like a baby.

This morning, except for the fact that I can't really hold onto anything heavier than
a coffee cup,...I feel great.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?

"Healing Art" my ass.http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,1a8cc1ed-6c6c-4b14-8ea1-22c12cf5a1e6.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Healing+Art+My+Ass.aspx
Sun, 07 May 2006 15:03:16 GMT<p>
Qigong kicked my ASS last night. As in hella kicked it. This is only the second lesson.
I could barely stand afterwards, and I couldn't feel my legs at all, they were completely
asleep.&nbsp; As in, dead from the waist down,&nbsp;except for the bottoms of my feet
which felt like they were levitating on a four-inch-thick layer of elecricity. &nbsp;Also,&nbsp;I
cried and I don't know why.&nbsp;&nbsp;But on the&nbsp;other hand, I felt completely&nbsp;stupid.&nbsp;
Stupid monkey.&nbsp;
</p>
<p>
Came home, felt the urge to work the heavy bag.&nbsp; I remembered some of the combinations
that Sensei taught me years ago.&nbsp; Over-did it a bit and brutalized my knuckles
and elbows&nbsp;some before I realized what I was doing.&nbsp; Then, I went to bed.
Slept like a baby.<br>
<br>
This morning, except for the fact that I can't really hold onto anything heavier than
a coffee cup,...I feel great.<br>
<br>
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot?
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=1a8cc1ed-6c6c-4b14-8ea1-22c12cf5a1e6" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,1a8cc1ed-6c6c-4b14-8ea1-22c12cf5a1e6.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitnesshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=bc5b5474-f77c-4128-93ec-6aa9e71cb1e7http://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,bc5b5474-f77c-4128-93ec-6aa9e71cb1e7.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,bc5b5474-f77c-4128-93ec-6aa9e71cb1e7.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=bc5b5474-f77c-4128-93ec-6aa9e71cb1e7

I
recently started a Qi Gong class
through my Kung Fu school.I wasn’t sure
if I should.See, Qi Gong deals with
meditation and internal energy manipulation and there are a lot of explanations for
how it works, and ideas behind it that sound like a lot of mumbo-jumbo to me.

And
I’m not a big fan of mumbo-jumbo.Mumbo-jumbo
is responsible for a lot of the misery I’ve had in my life.Also,
Flim-flammery.Not a fan of either.

But
I do accept the existence of a creator.So
things that are not quantitative are undeniably part of my world-view already.I
think we’ve been over this before.While
I have encountered no proof of a creator’s existence, I have likewise encountered
no proof of its non-existence.My mind
provides no guidance on the matter, so therefore I allow my heart to guide me.

I
don’t have any REASON to accept it (I don’t, for instance, think that anything in
any holy scriptures is proof of a creator or actually reflects anything but a running
chronicle of some of mankind’s attempts to understand the creator.As
such, I take it with the same grain of salt that I take any human endeavor.).

I
don’t have any NEED to accept it that I’m aware of (I don’t, for instance, assume
that my belief in a creator in anyway obligates the creator to do anything for me).

There
is nothing COMPELLING me to acceptance (I don’t, for instance, think that I have to
believe or the creator will do something bad to me).

My
acceptance simply is.

Moving
on.

I
am a Kung Fu student.I study, I practice
and I daily do stuff that I would rather not do.I
do exercises and stretches that often violate current thoughts on what is appropriate
training.Fellow active people have often
asked me “Aren’t you worried about over-training?”Sometimes
they inform me that a particular stretch I’m doing “isn’t as
good” as one they learned from someone who learned it from a professional personal
trainer.

I
don’t worry about it. I’m sure that current trends in sports science are very impressive,
but I also know that the goals and demands of the martial arts are as unique from
modern sports as modern sports are from each other.The
training techniques of a marathon runner are different from the techniques of a Hockey
Player, are different from the techniques of a Bowler.

I
assume that the techniques handed down for generations are appropriate for the activities
we do in Kung Fu.Martial Arts ARE, after
all, a progressive training program where the body is conditioned at the lower levels
for the more demanding activities that you encounter later on.

But
back to Qi Gong.It’s part of a traditional
Kung Fu education.It seems like, if
I’m going to study Kung Fu, I should at least try to study all aspects of the subject.As
a student, I should first master ALL the material, and THEN decide what I’m going
to accept and what I’m going to throw out, and what I’m going to modify in order to
have it work for me.

So
I’m going to study Qi Gong.I’m going
to set aside my reservations and pre-conceptions.I’m
going to learn and practice and get results.And
I will evaluate what I have learned.

It
seems to me that it’s a mistake a lot of people make; thinking that they have all
the answers before they really begin learning the subject.

They
decide on a route and a destination, and they forge ahead unquestioningly, and (in
their mind) unerringly.They don’t allow
themselves to be side-tracked by “barriers” or “detours”.And
their lives are a constant battle as the whole world seems to have turned against
them and seems to tirelessly keep them under continuous assault in an effort to keep
them from the goal.They assume it is
the hostility and enmity of the world that is confounding them…and not their own arrogance
and unwillingness to allow the path to teach them.

Others
follow the path wherever it goes without curiosity or questioning.They
aren’t making the journey, they are simply following…and are surprised if they end
up somewhere bad, or nowhere in particular (ask anyone whose ever walked in the woods,
following a “path” that suddenly dead-ended.It
wasn’t a “path” at all…but a series of choices to go the way of least resistance.)
They don’t progress.

Having
done both at some point in the past 38 years, I hope to avoid such pit-falls going
forward.I’ve chosen a path, and now
I will actively engage and allow it to teach me.And
whatever I learn, it will be my lesson, and I will have learned it completely.

I’ll
let you know how it’s going from time-to-time.

Stand Back.http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,bc5b5474-f77c-4128-93ec-6aa9e71cb1e7.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Stand+Back.aspx
Thu, 04 May 2006 17:34:57 GMT<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I
recently started a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qigong">Qi Gong </a>class
through my Kung Fu school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I wasn’t sure
if I should.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>See, Qi Gong deals with
meditation and internal energy manipulation and there are a lot of explanations for
how it works, and ideas behind it that sound like a lot of mumbo-jumbo to me.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>And
I’m not a big fan of mumbo-jumbo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Mumbo-jumbo
is responsible for a lot of the misery I’ve had in my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Also,
Flim-flammery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Not a fan of either.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>But
I do accept the existence of a creator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>So
things that are not quantitative are undeniably part of my world-view already.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
think we’ve been over this before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>While
I have encountered no proof of a creator’s existence, I have likewise encountered
no proof of its non-existence.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>My mind
provides no guidance on the matter, so therefore I allow my heart to guide me.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>I
don’t have any REASON to accept it (I don’t, for instance, think that anything in
any holy scriptures is proof of a creator or actually reflects anything but a running
chronicle of some of mankind’s attempts to understand the creator.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>As
such, I take it with the same grain of salt that I take any human endeavor.).</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>I
don’t have any NEED to accept it that I’m aware of (I don’t, for instance, assume
that my belief in a creator in anyway obligates the creator to do anything for me).</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>There
is nothing COMPELLING me to acceptance (I don’t, for instance, think that I have to
believe or the creator will do something bad to me).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span></font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>My
acceptance simply is.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Moving
on.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I
am a Kung Fu student.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I study, I practice
and I daily do stuff that I would rather not do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
do exercises and stretches that often violate current thoughts on what is appropriate
training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Fellow active people have often
asked me “Aren’t you worried about over-training?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Sometimes
they inform me that a particular stretch I’m doing “isn’t as
<br>
good” as one they learned from someone who learned it from a professional personal
trainer.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I
don’t worry about it. I’m sure that current trends in sports science are very impressive,
but I also know that the goals and demands of the martial arts are as unique from
modern sports as&nbsp;modern sports are from each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The
training techniques of a marathon runner are different from the techniques of a Hockey
Player, are different from the techniques of a Bowler.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I
assume that the techniques handed down for generations are appropriate for the activities
we do in Kung Fu.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Martial Arts ARE, after
all, a progressive training program where the body is conditioned at the lower levels
for the more demanding activities that you encounter later on.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>But
back to Qi Gong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It’s part of a traditional
Kung Fu education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It seems like, if
I’m going to study Kung Fu, I should at least try to study all aspects of the subject.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>As
a student, I should first master ALL the material, and THEN decide what I’m going
to accept and what I’m going to throw out, and what I’m going to modify in order to
have it work for me.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>So
I’m going to study Qi Gong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I’m going
to set aside my reservations and pre-conceptions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I’m
going to learn and practice and get results.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>And
I will evaluate what I have learned.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>It
seems to me that it’s a mistake a lot of people make; thinking that they have all
the answers before they really begin learning the subject.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>They
decide on a route and a destination, and they forge ahead unquestioningly, and (in
their mind) unerringly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>They don’t allow
themselves to be side-tracked by “barriers” or “detours”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>And
their lives are a constant battle as the whole world seems to have turned against
them and seems to tirelessly keep them under continuous assault in an effort to keep
them from the goal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>They assume it is
the hostility and enmity of the world that is confounding them…and not their own arrogance
and unwillingness to allow the path to teach them.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Others
follow the path wherever it goes without curiosity or questioning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>They
aren’t making the journey, they are simply following…and are surprised if they end
up somewhere bad, or nowhere in particular (ask anyone whose ever walked in the woods,
following a “path” that suddenly dead-ended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It
wasn’t a “path” at all…but a series of choices to go the way of least resistance.)
They don’t progress.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Having
done both at some point in the past 38 years, I hope to avoid such pit-falls going
forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I’ve chosen a path, and now
I will actively engage and allow it to teach me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>And
whatever I learn, it will be my lesson, and I will have learned it completely.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I’ll
let you know how it’s going from time-to-time.</font></font></font>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=bc5b5474-f77c-4128-93ec-6aa9e71cb1e7" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,bc5b5474-f77c-4128-93ec-6aa9e71cb1e7.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitnesshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=fad4777d-09e1-4f81-80aa-338452c09a0ehttp://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,fad4777d-09e1-4f81-80aa-338452c09a0e.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,fad4777d-09e1-4f81-80aa-338452c09a0e.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=fad4777d-09e1-4f81-80aa-338452c09a0e1

There's
this little old guy I see at the gym all the time.I'll call him…Barry.Don't
know why.I guess I just like the name.

Anyway,
Barry is a sweet little old guy.He's had a few serious injuries
in his life, including a car accident that almost killed him. He's
got almost no cartilage left in his body.His knees, back, neck,
hips, you name it, are all messed up.

He's
bent into a permanent question mark.

But
he shows up at the gym every day.Since I go at different times
of the day, I only see him there sometimes...but he's there every day – doing his
physical therapy.

Barry
is always smiling, always happy, always up-beat.He always has
time to chat with you and he always has an encouraging word. He
also always has a local community fund-raiser that he's working on, whether it's selling
stuff to raise money for an outreach program at church, or signing people up to sponsor
him for a walk-a-thon, or promoting a benefit concert.

You
can tell he's always in pain.You can see it in the way he moves. His
body just moves the way bodies do when they are in pain – a LOT of pain.

But
he doesn't act like a guy in pain, and though he is bent, and his movements halting,
stiff, and jerky, you can see that he's still got tremendous muscle tone for a guy
in his late sixties.

No
matter how big a hurry I'm in, I always take the time to talk to Barry.I
can't help it.He's got a lot to say.He's always
got a home-improvement project that he's doing or helping someone else do.He's
always got something he's looking forward to.He's always got a
story, and he's always ready to tell it.

I
usually just end up listening and nodding and saying "uh huh" a lot.Barry
is one of those people who talks without pauses.He doesn't talk
fast…just deliberately…and he works like he talks.There's no wasted
breath, no wasted time, space or syllables. No "ums" or "ahs"
or "lets-sees"Not even the occasional "ya know?"He
doesn't seem to be doing much, but you're amazed at what gets done. You
don't think he's talking a lot but you're amazed at how much gets said.

One
of the things Barry likes to talk about is miracles.He can go
on and on. Barry's life is full of miracles and blessings.He's
up to his tiny, stooped little neck in them.He drops them into
his conversation as casually and as naturally and as regularly as the little machine
that dispenses Hershey's kisses onto the conveyor belt.

He
talks about his miracles and the miracles of others.His blessings,
and the blessings of others. He sees them everywhere, listens
to the stories of them from other people and passes them along.He's
like the local Johnny Appelseed of miracles.

And
I find that as much as I don't believe in miracles…as much as they tick me off when
I hear about them from other people…I still like hearing about them from Barry.

When
most people tell me about miracles, it annoys the shit out of me.Other
people talk about how they got saved from something that was supposed to happen, but
didn't…or how they asked for something and got it…or how they dodged a bullet by asking
to avoid it.Or worse…they try to tell me about some stupid statue
weeping blood, the Bible that stopped a bullet, or some medieval case of stigmata
or some sick stuff like that.It makes me think of that Gabrial
Garcia Marquez short story: "A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings."About
an ugly angel that falls to Earth and gets held captive by local townspeople and forced
to perform useless miracles.

But
when Barry talks about miracles, he's not talking about how something that should
have happened didn't. He's not talking about how the normal function
of the world was interrupted for his benefit, or the benefit of an individual.He's
not talking about freaky disturbing imagery that can only come from a death-cult mentality.

He
talks about our extraordinary world, filled with extraordinary people doing extraordinary
things in the face of ordinary troubles, problems and obstacles, and he takes great
inspiration from them. He takes the world as it is as a miracle.People
doing what people do as a blessing.He lives his miracles and his
blessings to the utmost every day, and he shares them selflessly, simply and unabashedly.

And
as much as I deny that miracles exist, I find myself unable to argue with him at all,
but I am instead compelled to sit and listen...

...and that, in and
of itself, is a little miracle.

Miracle Manhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,fad4777d-09e1-4f81-80aa-338452c09a0e.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Miracle+Man.aspx
Thu, 27 Apr 2006 03:48:19 GMT<div>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><font size=3>There's
this little old guy I see at the gym all the time.<span>&nbsp; </span>I'll call him…Barry.<span>&nbsp; </span>Don't
know why.<span>&nbsp; </span>I guess I just like the name.</font></font>
</p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font size=3><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Anyway,
Barry is a sweet little old guy.<span>&nbsp; </span>He's had a few serious injuries
in his life, including a car accident that almost killed him. <span>&nbsp; </span>He's
got almost no cartilage left in his body.<span>&nbsp; </span>His knees, back, neck,
hips, you name it, are all messed up.</font></font>
</p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font size=3><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>He's
bent into a permanent question mark.</font></font>
</p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font size=3><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>But
he shows up at the gym every day.<span>&nbsp; </span>Since I go at different times
of the day, I only see him there sometimes...but he's there every day – doing his
physical therapy. </font></font>
</p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font size=3><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Barry
is always smiling, always happy, always up-beat.<span>&nbsp; </span>He always has
time to chat with you and he always has an encouraging word. <span>&nbsp; </span>He
also always has a local community fund-raiser that he's working on, whether it's selling
stuff to raise money for an outreach program at church, or signing people up to sponsor
him for a walk-a-thon, or promoting a benefit concert. </font></font>
</p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font size=3><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>You
can tell he's always in pain.<span>&nbsp; </span>You can see it in the way he moves. <span>&nbsp; </span>His
body just moves the way bodies do when they are in pain – a LOT of pain.</font></font>
</p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font size=3><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>But
he doesn't act like a guy in pain, and though he is bent, and his movements halting,
stiff, and jerky, you can see that he's still got tremendous muscle tone for a guy
in his late sixties. </font></font>
</p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font size=3><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Barry
comes in wearing his khaki shorts, white fruit-of-the-loom T-shirt, <span>&nbsp;</span>navy
blue stocking cap, white knee-socks and brown sensible shoes. <span>&nbsp;</span>His
1000-kilo-watt grin practically precedes him through the door.</font></font>
</p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font size=3><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>No
matter how big a hurry I'm in, I always take the time to talk to Barry.<span> &nbsp; </span>I
can't help it.<span>&nbsp; </span>He's got a lot to say.<span>&nbsp; </span>He's always
got a home-improvement project that he's doing or helping someone else do.<span> &nbsp; </span>He's
always got something he's looking forward to.<span>&nbsp; </span>He's always got a
story, and he's always ready to tell it.</font></font>
</p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font size=3><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I
usually just end up listening and nodding and saying "uh huh" a lot.<span> &nbsp; </span>Barry
is one of those people who talks without pauses.<span>&nbsp; </span>He doesn't talk
fast…just deliberately…and he works like he talks.<span>&nbsp; </span>There's no wasted
breath, no wasted time, space or syllables. <span>&nbsp; </span>No "ums" or "ahs"
or "lets-sees"<span>&nbsp; </span>Not even the occasional "ya know?"<span>&nbsp; </span>He
doesn't seem to be doing much, but you're amazed at what gets done. <span>&nbsp; </span>You
don't think he's talking a lot but you're amazed at how much gets said.</font></font>
</p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font size=3><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>One
of the things Barry likes to talk about is miracles.<span>&nbsp; </span>He can go
on and on. <span>&nbsp; </span>Barry's life is full of miracles and blessings.<span>&nbsp; </span>He's
up to his tiny, stooped little neck in them.<span>&nbsp; </span>He drops them into
his conversation as casually and as naturally and as regularly as the little machine
that dispenses Hershey's kisses onto the conveyor belt. </font></font>
</p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font size=3><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>He
talks about his miracles and the miracles of others.<span>&nbsp; </span>His blessings,
and the blessings of others. <span>&nbsp; </span>He sees them everywhere, listens
to the stories of them from other people and passes them along.<span>&nbsp; </span>He's
like the local Johnny Appelseed of miracles. </font></font>
</p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font size=3><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>And
I find that as much as I don't believe in miracles…as much as they tick me off when
I hear about them from other people…I still like hearing about them from Barry. </font></font>
</p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font size=3><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>When
most people tell me about miracles, it annoys the shit out of me.<span> &nbsp; </span>Other
people talk about how they got saved from something that was supposed to happen, but
didn't…or how they asked for something and got it…or how they dodged a bullet by asking
to avoid it.<span> &nbsp; </span>Or worse…they try to tell me about some stupid statue
weeping blood, the Bible that stopped a bullet, or some medieval case of stigmata
or some sick stuff like that.<span>&nbsp; </span>It makes me think of that Gabrial
Garcia Marquez short story: <span>&nbsp; </span>"A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings."<span>&nbsp; </span>About
an ugly angel that falls to Earth and gets held captive by local townspeople and forced
to perform useless miracles. </font></font>
</p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font size=3><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>But
when Barry talks about miracles, he's not talking about how something that should
have happened didn't. <span>&nbsp; </span>He's not talking about how the normal function
of the world was interrupted for his benefit, or the benefit of an individual.<span>&nbsp; </span>He's
not talking about freaky disturbing imagery that can only come from a death-cult mentality. </font></font>
</p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font size=3><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>He
talks about our extraordinary world, filled with extraordinary people doing extraordinary
things in the face of ordinary troubles, problems and obstacles, and he takes great
inspiration from them. <span>&nbsp; </span>He takes the world as it is as a miracle.<span>&nbsp; </span>People
doing what people do as a blessing.<span>&nbsp; </span>He lives his miracles and his
blessings to the utmost every day, and he shares them selflessly, simply and unabashedly. </font></font>
</p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font size=3><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>And
as much as I deny that miracles exist, I find myself unable to argue with him at all,
but I am instead compelled to sit and listen... </font></font>
</p>
<p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; ...and that, in and of
itself, is a little miracle.</font>
</p>
</div>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=fad4777d-09e1-4f81-80aa-338452c09a0e" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,fad4777d-09e1-4f81-80aa-338452c09a0e.aspxCheer Up!;Kung Fu/Running/Fitness;Personal;Those Wacky Fundieshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=34d18dc3-2b1a-4638-a9ab-66d490212064http://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,34d18dc3-2b1a-4638-a9ab-66d490212064.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,34d18dc3-2b1a-4638-a9ab-66d490212064.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=34d18dc3-2b1a-4638-a9ab-66d490212064Huh. Chivalry IS dead.http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,34d18dc3-2b1a-4638-a9ab-66d490212064.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Huh+Chivalry+IS+Dead.aspx
Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:17:37 GMT<p>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Anyone whose known me for any length of time can imagine
how little I like being treated like a girl when it comes to Martial Arts.&nbsp; I
don't mind being knocked down, hit, whatever.
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Well, OK, to be perfectly honest, I'm a little bit of a girl
when it comes to take-downs and throws.&nbsp; I don't like that at all...but I don't
expect that to stop someone and I certainly think I need to get over that, so bring
it on.&nbsp; Anyway, here's a little story about how great my fellow Kung Fu-ers are
about not treating a girl like a girl when they're in the ring with her.
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I
was at Kung Fu on Sunday (yesterday) and we were in sparring class.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>We
were fighting point matches as opposed to the more traditional continuous sparring
that we usually do.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I
was fighting Joe, who is the biggest guy in the school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>He’s
got really good control and everything, but he likes to hit in the head, and I have
a tendency to be sort of weak with taking head shots.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
get punchy pretty quickly.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Anyway,
I had already taken a couple of good tags that day, and I’d started with a headache…so
when he hit me again, I was<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>little off
balance, and started to go over. </font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I
felt Joe grab my arm, and ShiFu yelled “break!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Because
he wanted to score Joe’s point for hitting me in the head.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>I
grinned at Joe, thinking how nice it was that he had kept me from falling on my ass
and embarrassing myself.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>“Thanks”,
I said.</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>He
grinned sheepishly, “It wasn’t sportsman-like.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I
was grabbing your arm to pull you into another punch.”</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font size=3><font color=#000000><font face="Times New Roman">Oh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>OK
then.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>As long as we’re clear.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span></font><span style="FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings">J</span></span></font></font>
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=34d18dc3-2b1a-4638-a9ab-66d490212064" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,34d18dc3-2b1a-4638-a9ab-66d490212064.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitnesshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=59f8a29b-9c11-4bca-a980-bda8c0499d28http://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,59f8a29b-9c11-4bca-a980-bda8c0499d28.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,59f8a29b-9c11-4bca-a980-bda8c0499d28.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=59f8a29b-9c11-4bca-a980-bda8c0499d28

Spent most of my time last night fighting a teenager who had been out for a few months
with an injury. He's a LOT taller than me, a LOT faster than me, and he can
kick over my head as easily as the average person could kick me in the knee.

He was feeling his oats a little bit, and not in a lot of practice with control.
Drilled my under the armpit with a side-kick. Knocked the wind out of me.
A couple of head shots that knocked me to the ground, including a reverse hook kick.
My neck is sore, and I've got several scrapes on my arms from the velcro on his safety
gear.

He busted his dad's face up with a punch, too (minor nosebleed, cut on cheek).
His dad's in the sparring class, and is one of the biggest guys I've ever fought.

I don't think it's a permenant thing. He's usually got pretty good control...just
out of practice and trying too hard to score after too long out.

Glad I was wearing my face-cage, though.

When I'm over this cold, I'll be in a lot better position to fight this kid.
Until then, the chest congestion makes me too much of a non-starter to pull it off.

News Flashhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,59f8a29b-9c11-4bca-a980-bda8c0499d28.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/News+Flash.aspx
Mon, 13 Mar 2006 17:00:27 GMT<p>
Spent most of my time last night fighting a teenager who had been out for a few months
with an injury.&nbsp; He's a LOT taller than me, a LOT faster than me, and he can
kick over my head as easily as the average person could kick me in the knee.
</p>
<p>
He was feeling his oats a little bit, and not in a lot of practice with control.&nbsp;
Drilled my under the armpit with a side-kick.&nbsp; Knocked the wind out of me.&nbsp;
A couple of head shots that knocked me to the ground, including a reverse hook kick.&nbsp;
My neck is sore, and I've got several scrapes on my arms from the velcro on his safety
gear.
</p>
<p>
He busted his dad's face up with a punch, too (minor nosebleed, cut on cheek).&nbsp;
His dad's in the sparring class, and is one of the biggest guys I've ever fought.
</p>
<p>
I don't think it's a permenant thing.&nbsp; He's usually got pretty good control...just
out of practice and trying too hard to score after too long out.
</p>
<p>
Glad I was wearing my face-cage, though.
</p>
<p>
When I'm over this cold, I'll be in a lot better position to fight this kid.&nbsp;
Until then, the chest congestion makes me too much of a non-starter to pull it off.
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=59f8a29b-9c11-4bca-a980-bda8c0499d28" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,59f8a29b-9c11-4bca-a980-bda8c0499d28.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitnesshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=c2006ab2-f6c4-4927-b608-7477c5ca3020http://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,c2006ab2-f6c4-4927-b608-7477c5ca3020.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,c2006ab2-f6c4-4927-b608-7477c5ca3020.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=c2006ab2-f6c4-4927-b608-7477c5ca3020

Introduction: Sue goes to the same Community Center Gym that I do.
The one where I made a discovery that cryptozooligists only dream of making...the
one with the persistant newbies, and even the odd creepy old man.

The lady referred to in this entry is one who repeatedly told me that having
an underactive thyroid had nothing to do with my weight struggles and that until I
admitted that I was weak-willed and lazy, nothing would change. She
is, as they say, a "piece of work". But then again, aren't we all?

Anyway, without further ado, here is Sue and her story:

My timing was off at the little community gym this morning, and as an unfortunate
result I ended up logjammed in the locker room with the old ladies water ballet class.
Don't get me wrong; most of them are sweet little ladies. But all the chaos &
chatter slows me down when I'm trying to race out of there to get to work.

This morning, Annie Bannanie (no lie, that's what she calls herself) brought in a
whole load of purses that she had crocheted by hand. The locker room was really buzzing
with oohs & aahhs, and "oh fer darlings!".

Until Mrs. Crabby Crabmeister broke in, "I have one like that in red and purple, only
mine's bigger. And it's made by ________ (insert famous bag designer name here)
"

Good share. Another lady generously says, "You know I have one of those <pretentious,overpriced> bags,
but it's so heavy that it's just not practical to carry. These are the perfect size,
and so unique & pretty."

Crabby Jeans, not quite defeated, repeats, "Mine is just like these, only bigger."

Then Annie notices me smiling at the craziness & says "You can look too, if you're
interested." I was already late to work and was about ready to leave, but I set down
my gym bag and checked out the goods. Very cute. I made loud proclaimations about
the creativity and care that was clearly evident in her work. More loud happy noises.
Then I bought a black one with sparkles. Would've cleaned her out of her whole damn
inventory if I'd had the cash to do it, just to piss off the now silent Crab woman.

When I grow old I will be like the ever-sunny Annie Bannani who makes purses, each
with their own with personality; I will make things with love. And I will not be defeated
by the frumpy Crabby Green Jeans of the world who "marry well" to brag of Coach purses
and blinding anniversary rings. No amount of bling can make a dull woman shine. The
proof is in the purses.

Guest Blogger! Sue again.http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,c2006ab2-f6c4-4927-b608-7477c5ca3020.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Guest+Blogger+Sue+Again.aspx
Thu, 09 Mar 2006 03:48:15 GMT<p>
<strong>Introduction:&nbsp; Sue goes to the same Community Center Gym that I do.&nbsp;
The one where I made a discovery that cryptozooligists only dream of making...the
one with the persistant newbies, and even the odd creepy old man.</strong>
</p>
<p>
<strong>The lady referred to in this entry is one who repeatedly told me that having
an underactive thyroid had nothing to do with my weight struggles and that until I
admitted that I was weak-willed and lazy, nothing would change.&nbsp; </strong><strong>She
is, as they say, a "piece of work".&nbsp; But then again, aren't we all?</strong>
</p>
<p>
<strong>Anyway, without further ado, here is Sue and her story:</strong>
</p>
<p>
My timing was off at the little community gym this morning, and as an unfortunate
result I ended up logjammed in the locker room with the old ladies water ballet class.
Don't get me wrong; most of them are sweet little ladies. But all the chaos &amp;
chatter slows me down when I'm trying to race out of there to get to work.
<br>
<br>
This morning, Annie Bannanie (no lie, that's what she calls herself) brought in a
whole load of purses that she had crocheted by hand. The locker room was really buzzing
with oohs &amp; aahhs, and "oh fer darlings!".
<br>
<br>
Until Mrs. Crabby Crabmeister broke in, "I have one like that in red and purple, only
mine's bigger. And it's made by ________&nbsp; (insert famous bag designer name here)
"<br>
<br>
Um. yah.&nbsp; Blank stares. Movin' right along. "Ooh my granddaughter will love this
one!"&nbsp; Cash changes hands. Crablady interrupts, "I just LOVE the&nbsp;&lt;famous&nbsp;designer
brand&gt;&nbsp;bag my husband bought me."
<br>
<br>
Good share. Another lady generously says, "You know I have one of those&nbsp;&lt;pretentious,overpriced&gt;&nbsp;bags,
but it's so heavy that it's just not practical to carry. These are the perfect size,
and so unique &amp; pretty."
<br>
<br>
Crabby Jeans, not quite defeated, repeats, "Mine is just like these, only bigger."
<br>
<br>
Then Annie notices me smiling at the craziness &amp; says "You can look too, if you're
interested." I was already late to work and was about ready to leave, but I set down
my gym bag and checked out the goods. Very cute. I made loud proclaimations about
the creativity and care that was clearly evident in her work. More loud happy noises.
Then I bought a black one with sparkles. Would've cleaned her out of her whole damn
inventory if I'd had the cash to do it, just to piss off the now silent Crab woman.
<br>
<br>
When I grow old I will be like the ever-sunny Annie Bannani who makes purses, each
with their own with personality; I will make things with love. And I will not be defeated
by the frumpy Crabby Green Jeans of the world who "marry well" to brag of Coach purses
and blinding anniversary rings. No amount of bling can make a dull woman shine. The
proof is in the purses.
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=c2006ab2-f6c4-4927-b608-7477c5ca3020" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,c2006ab2-f6c4-4927-b608-7477c5ca3020.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitnesshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=7b7c6d4f-2c43-4c65-a4a4-8eb8fcec23cbhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,7b7c6d4f-2c43-4c65-a4a4-8eb8fcec23cb.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,7b7c6d4f-2c43-4c65-a4a4-8eb8fcec23cb.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=7b7c6d4f-2c43-4c65-a4a4-8eb8fcec23cb1New-Years-Resolutionist gym noobshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,7b7c6d4f-2c43-4c65-a4a4-8eb8fcec23cb.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/NewYearsResolutionist+Gym+Noobs.aspx
Thu, 12 Jan 2006 17:15:57 GMT<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>Well, I’m off to the gym.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>I have to say, I’m impressed by
this years crop of New Year’s Resolutionists…Resolutionaries…Resolutionistas?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Oh
well…whatever.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>The gym has usually emptied out
by now.</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<o:p>
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;</font>
</o:p>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman" color=#000000 size=3>But not this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I’m
starting to do some ice skating to round out the work-out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>While
I wait for the noobs to shake out…either they stop coming, or they manage to acclimate
themselves to how the gym actually works.&nbsp; I know most of these people aren't
going to keep their resolutions more than a few weeks.&nbsp;&nbsp;I had a conversation
with another regular as we waited for our machines (something we NEVER have to do
any other time of the year).&nbsp; It went something along the lines of :</font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
&nbsp;
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font color=#000000 size=3>Me:&nbsp;&nbsp; "It's crowded
in here."</font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font color=#000000 size=3>Her:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;"Yep.&nbsp;
New Years Resolutions"</font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font color=#000000 size=3>Me:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Give
it three more weeks, it'll be back to normal"</font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font color=#000000 size=3>Her:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "Yep"</font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font color=#000000 size=3></font></font>&nbsp;
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font color=#000000 size=3>Are we bad?&nbsp; Is it wrong
that we are waiting for our fellow human beings to fail in their quest for self-improvement?&nbsp;
Oh yeah...I'm going to the special hell.&nbsp; The one they reserve for hypocrites
and sneaky <span style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA">saboteurs.&nbsp;
But I have some pointers for those who are actually going to stick it out.&nbsp; Call
it my pennance:</span></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-list: Ignore"><font color=#000000><font size=3></font></font></span></font>&nbsp;
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-list: Ignore"><font color=#000000><font size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;1)</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></font></span><font color=#000000 size=3>“You’re
only supposed to use a machine for ½ hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It
says so on the sign.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</span>*Rolls eyes*</font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Warm-ups
and cool-downs don’t count.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</span></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font color=#000000 size=3><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;</span>If&nbsp;they did, there would be no point in working out in the first
place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>A ten-minute warm up,</font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
<font face="Times New Roman"><font color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;
&nbsp;ten minute work-out</font></font><font face="Times New Roman"><font color=#000000 size=3>&nbsp;and
ten-minute cool&nbsp;</font></font><font face="Times New Roman"><font color=#000000 size=3>down
is just silly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Why even bother?</font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">
<font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-list: Ignore"><font color=#000000><font size=3>2)</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></font></span><font size=3><font color=#000000><span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;</span>If
you are worried about smelling bad during or after your work-out, bring a shower bag,
and use the showers afterwards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Nobody
is going to notice your sweat smell in the middle of your work-out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>They’re
too busy sweating themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>DO NOT
take a bath in cheap perfume before you come to the gym.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Some
of us have allergies, and asthma, and we don’t like trying to work out while not being
able to breath.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>The headaches aren’t
much fun either. (Hint:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>If I come home,
after getting no closer to you than three or four feet, and my husband can smell your
perfume on my hair and clothing…it’s too much.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Plus,
imagine how you would feel if you found out that the guy on the treadmill next to
you was shot by his jealous wife, and it was because of your perfume.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Not
cool.)</font></font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">
<font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-list: Ignore"><font color=#000000><font size=3>3)</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></font></span><font color=#000000 size=3>Gobs
and gobs of gaudy jewelry are uncomfortable, get in the way of working out, and make
you look silly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Plus, if one of those
diamonds falls off and gets in the tread of the treadmill, don’t come crying to me.</font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">
<font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-list: Ignore"><font color=#000000><font size=3>4)</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></font></span><font color=#000000 size=3>It
is OK to ask about how to use a particular machine correctly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Experienced
gym users are usually happy to help, as are staff members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>This
keeps the machines working properly, and it is easier to wait patiently for a machine
if you can plainly see that the person using it is getting full benefit (or at least
some benefit) from the work-out rather than just dinging around.</font></font>
</p>
<p class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">
<font face="Times New Roman"><span style="mso-list: Ignore"><font color=#000000><font size=3>5)</font><span style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></font></span><font color=#000000 size=3>It’s
OK to set one TV in the place to your favorite soap opera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>It’s
NOT OK to set two or three of them to the same channel because you find the others
“distracting”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Asking
if it’s “OK” first is a nice idea, but it just doesn’t work in
<st1:State w:st="on">
<st1:place w:st="on">Minnesota</st1:place>
</st1:State>
.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>I don’t care what you do, because I’ve
got my eyes closed, and I’m listening to music…so I’m going to say it’s OK…but then
I have to listen to all the other Minnesotans bitch about you after you leave…even
though they said it’s “OK”.</font></font>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=7b7c6d4f-2c43-4c65-a4a4-8eb8fcec23cb" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,7b7c6d4f-2c43-4c65-a4a4-8eb8fcec23cb.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitnesshttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=3d698623-0ab3-4e6d-aec7-c128ffb47975http://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,3d698623-0ab3-4e6d-aec7-c128ffb47975.aspxTeresa Lhotkahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,3d698623-0ab3-4e6d-aec7-c128ffb47975.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=3d698623-0ab3-4e6d-aec7-c128ffb47975

I'm sad to hear the Mr. Pat Morita has passed. I loved
him in Happy Days, and I have to admit that I was inspired by The Karate Kid.

Even with the dissappointing knowledge that his "secret crane
technique" was just a scissors kick and any Kung Fu yellow belt can do it.

But there it is. Mr. Miagi's wisdom, humor, compassion
and self-possession will always be an inspiring example to me.

Mr. Miagi has passed away???http://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,3d698623-0ab3-4e6d-aec7-c128ffb47975.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Mr+Miagi+Has+Passed+Away.aspx
Mon, 28 Nov 2005 18:18:11 GMT<p>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; I'm sad to hear the Mr. Pat Morita has passed.&nbsp; I loved
him in Happy Days, and I have to admit that I was inspired by The Karate Kid.
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Even with the dissappointing knowledge that his "secret crane
technique" was just a scissors kick and any Kung Fu yellow belt can do it.
</p>
<p>
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; But there it is.&nbsp; Mr. Miagi's wisdom, humor, compassion
and self-possession will always be an inspiring example to me.
</p>
<img width="0" height="0" src="http://www.anomalousdata.com/aggbug.ashx?id=3d698623-0ab3-4e6d-aec7-c128ffb47975" />http://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,3d698623-0ab3-4e6d-aec7-c128ffb47975.aspxKung Fu/Running/Fitness;Pop Culturehttp://www.anomalousdata.com/Trackback.aspx?guid=5a88de9a-0ece-43f7-a91a-bad24cace78ahttp://www.anomalousdata.com/pingback.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/PermaLink,guid,5a88de9a-0ece-43f7-a91a-bad24cace78a.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/CommentView,guid,5a88de9a-0ece-43f7-a91a-bad24cace78a.aspxhttp://www.anomalousdata.com/SyndicationService.asmx/GetEntryCommentsRss?guid=5a88de9a-0ece-43f7-a91a-bad24cace78a

My
jammed toe is still stiff and achy…as is the bruised arch…so I have not
been running…but I took a walk to the gym with Rocky, and then walked for an
hour or so on the treadmill, just to burn some calories, and did some upper-body-abwork
type stuff.

As
I was walking on the treadmill, jamming to Rob Zombie (Hellbilly Delux), I became
aware of a noise.And by “became
aware of” I mean that it drowned out the extremely loud heavy metal music that
my iRiver was pumping DIRECTLY INTO MY EARS.

The
noise sounded like Chewbacca with his nuts in a vice.

I
recognized it immediately as our Community Center’s resident weight-lifter version
of a lounge lizard. (Insert “ew” sound effect here).

This
guy punctuates many of his lifts with a noise that lets everyone know, in no uncertain
terms, that he is lifting something very heavy.

It
also has the effect of causing every woman within hearing range of it to turn repeatedly
in alarm.Now, they may be turning because
it is an in-bred survival response that allowed our ancestors to survive enraged yeti
attacks and live to spawn us; but the effect this guy must be after is the fact that
while we are looking around trying to figure out which way to jump, we can’t
help but see his bulging muscles. But maybe I'm not giving him the benefit of
the doubt. Maybe he's trying to selectivly attract the attention of women
with a burning obsession for cryptozoology.

Anyway, I continued my habit-trail workout, and Chewie continued to punctuate
Cake (Prolonging the Magic) and The Chrystal Meathod (Legion of Boom) and System of
a Down (Toxicity).Some were compatible
with the sounds of abused Wookie scrotum, and some were not.

Just
to be clear, Cake and Wookie scrotum do NOT go together.(Yes,
I went there, aren’t you so glad you have an RSS feed?)

Anyway,
this is the same guy who I once heard talking to a lady during a between-sets break.She
mentioned that she was in her mid forties, and he exclaimed;

“No
kidding, I thought you were MAYBE twenty-five!”

OK,
granted, this lady does not look her age.I’m
thinking early-to-mid-thirties would have been a very nice and also true compliment.But
still, yeti man, really…try to have a little subtlety.

Then,
he passed the mark.

“How
old do you think I am?”

The
woman froze, uncertain if she should return the compliment contractually implied in
the set-up, or if she should tell the truth.

“About
32…right?”

“Uh…yeah.About
32.”

Dude
looks like he’s fifty if he’s a day.

I
think I’m going to have to return to my habit of making it to the gym earlier
in the day.